m 


■ 


POPERl 


r 


JUDGED    BY    ITS    FRUITS: 

AS  liUOUCillT  TO  VIEW  IX  THE  DIARY   OF  TWO  DISTINGUISHED 
SCHOLARS  AND  rHILANTHROPISTS. 

JOHN  AND  ANTHONY  ULLOA, 

DURiyO    A    SOJOURy    OF    SEVERAL    TEARS    /Y    THE 
STATES   OF   COLOMBIA  AXD   PERU. 


Translated  from  the  Spanish  by  a  Member  of  the  Principia  Club. 


BOSTON: 

ALBERT    J.    WKIGIIT,    PRINTER, 

>'o.  79  Mii-K  Stkeet. 

1878 


3i 

NOTE. 


Tho  following  explanations  may  be  found  useful :  — 

The  Spanish  -word  curd,  translated  curate,  properly  signifies 
rector,  or  one  who  is  subject  only  to  the  bishop  of  his  diocese, 
or  to  the  provincial  of  his  Order.  The  curates  or  rectors  receive 
no  fixed  salary,  but  oulj'  a  contingent  revenue,  estimated  by  the 
number  of  masses,  responses,  and  fees  for  baptisms,  marriages, 
and  interments. 

Meta,  or  Afita,  signifies  an  annual  conscription  of  Indians, 
■who  are  drawn  by  lot,  to  be  placed  under  the  absolute  control 
of  the  proprietor  of  a  mine. 

Metaijo  is  the  ludiau  who  performs  the  meta  service. 

Alcabala  is  an  excise  duty  on  goods  despatched  into  the  in- 
terior provinces. 

The  courts,  or  the  tribunals  of  justice,  in  Peru,  are  called 
"  Audiences;  "  and  the  members  of  them,  or  the  judges,  are  called 
oydors. 

The  term  Provincial  is  applied  to  the  superior  of  a  metropolitan 
convent,  who  has  under  his  jurisdiction  all  tlio  minor  convents 
of  his  order,  comprehended  within  tho  limits  of  a  particular 
state  or  province. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

PAGE 

Cruelty  of  the  Magistra,tes  and  Clergy  to  the  Indians. — 
Miserable  Condition  to  vrliich  the  latter  are  rednced. — 
Jlethod  used  in  auditing  the  Accounts  of  the  Governors 
and  Corregidors, 7 

CHAPTER    II. 
The  same  Subject  continued, 33 

CHAPTER    III. 

The  same  Subject  continued.  —  Sequestration  of  Lands  be- 
longing to  the  Indians, 56 

CHAPTER    IV. 

Extortions  which  the  Indians  suffer  from  the  Parish  Priests. 
—  Corrupt  Morals  and  Scandalous  Life  of  the  Clergy, 
hoth  secular  and  regular, 71 

CHAPTER    V. 

Showing  that  the  Unwillingness  of  the  Gentile  Indians  to 
receive  tiic  Gospel  and  to  submit  to  the  Authority  of  tlio 
Kings  of  Spain,  is  to  be  attributed  to  the  extreme  Suf- 
ferings of  the  Civilized  Indians,  as  will  appear  from  the 
Limited  Influence  and  Partial  Success  of  the  Catholic 
Missions, 01 


6 

CHAPTER    VI. 

PAGE 

Prevalence  of  Party  Spirit  between  Europeans  and  Creoles. 
—  Its  chief  Source,  and  the  Evils  resulting  from  it  in 
the  Cities  and  large  Tov^us, 114 

CHAPTEE    VII. 

Gross  Licentiousness  of  the  Clergy  in  general,  and  particu- 
larly of  the  Monks.  —  Tumults  attending  the  Capitulary 
Elections.  —  Their  Principal  Cause,         ....     129 


POPERY  IN  COLOMBIA  AND  PERU. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Cruelty  of  the  Magistrates  and  Clergy  to  the  Indians.  —  Misera- 
ble Condition  to  wbicli  the  latter  are  reduced. —  Method  used 
in  auditing  the  Accounts  of  the  Governors  and  Corregidors 

Subjects  of  speculation  become  interesting  to  the 
mind  in  proportion  as  it  contemplates  them,  especially 
when  genius  and  industr}'  lend  their  aid  to  render  them 
more  luminous  and  fascinating  ;  but  they  appear,  and  not 
without  reason,  to  possess  peculiar  attractions  for  those 
who  devote  themselves  to  the  pursuit  of  knowledge  as  a 
means  of  rational  entertainment.  Of  the  truth  of  this 
we  can  furnish  the  best  evidence,  inasmuch  as  it  has 
been  the  result  of  our  own  experience.  After  we  had 
collected  in  one  volume  the  astronomical  and  physical 
observations  made  in  the  kingdom  of  Peru,  illustrating 
the  figure  and  magnitude  of  the  earth,  and  had  published 
in  two  others  historical  notices  of  those  countries,  it 
seemed  as  if  all  the  satisfaction  we  had  experienced  in 
writing  those  works  was  exceedingly  augmented  when 
we  came  to  draw  up  this  Report ;  and  the  mind,  absorbed 
in  its  speculations,  now  enters  upon  the  subject,  not  with 
fatigue,  but  rather  alacrity,  as  it  reaches  this  point  of  its 
inquiries,  enabling  us  to  present  a  more  animated  picture 
of  wluit  has  been  ah-eady  brought  to  view  in  those  works  : 
and,  if  our  readers  have  been  inclined  to  attribute  any- 
thing to  neglect  or  omission,  it  should  be  regarded  as 
the  dictate  of  prudence  on  our  part,  that  we  may  now 
have  an  opportunity  to  speak  with  more  freedom,  reserv 
ing  for  this  place  what  it  would  have  been  inexpedient 
to  introduce  in  the  history  of  our  travels. 


8 


Having  conclucled  our  remarks  relative  to  the  marine, 
the  fortifications,  and  the  commerce  of  Peru,  we  shall 
now  proceed  to  discuss  a  subject  of  a  more  delicate 
nature,  and  which  relates  almost  exclusively  to  the 
moral  and  religious  condition  of  the  civilized  Indians  of 
Peru,  and  the  character  and  conduct  of  their  rulers,  both 
civil  and  ecclesiastical.  Unbiased  by  prejudice  or  by 
any  personal  consideration  whatever,  we  have  made  the 
most  diligent  inquiry  in  respect  to  everything  suggested 
in  the  instructions  of  his  Majesty's  secretaries,  and  we 
now  lay  before  them  the  result  of  our  observations  ;  and 
as  the  details  embodied  in  this  part  of  our  Report  are 
communicated  for  the  Information  of  those  whose  duty 
it  is  to  know  them,  and  not  as  pastime  for  the  idle,  nor 
to  afford  matter  of  scandal  to  the  mischievous,  they  are 
brought  to  light  with  entire  frankness,  in  order  that  the}'' 
may  be  duly  considered,  and  the  best  means  of  reform 
devised. 

The  subject  to  be  discussed  in  this  chapter  is  of  such 
a  nature  that  we  cannot  enter  upon  it  without  emotions 
of  sorrow ;  much  less  can  we  pause  to  reflect  upon  the 
circumstances  of  its  details,  without  heartfelt  pity  for  the 
miseries  of  a  race  of  men  who,  for  no  other  crime  than 
their  simplicity,  and  for  no  other  pretext  than  their  nat- 
ural ignorance,  have  become  the  victims  of  a  kind  of 
bondage  so  oppressive  that,  in  view  of  the  sufferings  in- 
flicted upon  them,  the  colonial  negro  slaves  may  be 
regarded  as  comparatively  happy  —  the  state  of  servi- 
tude to  which  the  latter  are  brought  being  justl}^  envied 
by  those  who  are  nominally  free,  and  whom  our  sover- 
eigns have  taught  us  to  regard  as  such  ;  for  the  condition 
of  the  Indian  is  far  more  degraded  and  miserable  than 
that  of  the  African  slave. 

Our  first  object  will  be  to  describe  the  kind  of  tyranny 
exercised  by  the  corregidors  over  the  Indians ;  and, 
although  it  is  difficult  to  find  a  beginning,  we  shall  avail 
ourselves  of  a  division  in  the  departments  of  Peru  which 
has  existed  from  the  time  of  the  conquest.  These  de- 
partments are  of  two  kinds :  the  first  are  those  in 
which   the  distribution  system  is  not   established ;    and 


the    second,  those   iu  which   it   ma}'  hiwfall}'  be   prac- 
tised. 

The  oppression  "which  the  Indians  suffer  arises  from 
the  insatiable  thirst  for  wealth,  which  is  characteristic  of 
those  who  go  over  to  govern  them  ;  and,  as  they  have  no 
means  of  etfecting  their  object  except  b}-  a  S3'stem  of 
tyranny,  they  never  fail  to  practise  it  in  every  shape  ; 
and,  by  goading  the  Indians  on  every  side  with  the 
utmost  cruelty,  they  exact  more  service  from  them  than 
the}'  would  be  able  to  do  from  the  meanest  slave.  It  is 
true  that  the  distribution  sj'stem  is  unknown  in  Quito  ; 
but,  although  it  is  the  good  fortune  of  the  Indians  of  that 
province  to  be  exempted  from  that  species  of  oppression, 
they  are  not  the  less  subject  to  burdens  so  intolerable  as 
to  reduce  them  to  the  lowest  degree  of  wretchedness 
that  can  be  imagined. 

A  great  variety  of  expedients  are  adopted  by  the  cor- 
regidors  to  enrich  themselves  at  the  expense  of  the  In- 
dians. The  first  to  be  mentioned  is  the  mode  of  collect- 
ing the  tribute  mone}',  —  an  iniquitous  S3'stem  carried  on 
in  contempt  of  the  principles  of  justice  and  the  dictates 
of  humanity.  The  fees  for  collection  are  enumerated  b}' 
the  corregidors  among  the  perquisites  of  their  office  ; 
and,  if  they  were  actuated  by  a  sense  of  justice  in  the 
discharge  of  their  duty,  the}^  would  neither  aggrandize 
themselves,  nor  wrong  the  Indian,  nor  defraud  the  treas- 
urj' :  but  tlieir  unprincipled  conduct  begets  all  these  evils  ; 
for  they  have  such  an  inordinate  love  of  wealth  that  they 
spare  no  pains  to  accumulate  it,  and  have  recourse  to  the 
most  oppressive  measures,  in  entire  confidence  that, 
when  their  term  of  office  expires,  they  shall  be  absolved 
from  ever}'  charge,  by  holding  out  the  offer  of  a  bribe  to 
the  judge  oa  whom  it  devolves  to  audit  their  accounts. 

With  a  view  to  collect  this  tax,  the  corregidor  makes 
two  ar.iiual  visits  to  all  the  villages  and  estates  comprised 
within  his  jurisdiction.  8t.  John's  day  and  Christmas 
day  are  appropriated  to  this  object,  —  a  judicious  meas- 
ure, if,  in  carrying  it  into  effect,  the  avarice  of  the  col- 
lector did  not  overstep  all  bounds  in  oppressing  that  un- 
fortunate race,  whom  our  sovereign  regards  with  so  much 


10 


pity  that  he  has  issued  a  decree  in  order  to  hghten  their 
burdens  as  much  as  possible  ;  enjoining  the  magistrates 
not  to  collect  tribute  from  them  until  they  have  com- 
pleted their  eighteenth  year,  and  to  exempt  them  from 
paj-ment  after  the  age  of  fift3"-five,  on  the  ground  that, 
as  their  strength  fails,  they  are  incapable  of  sustaining 
any  other  exertion  than  that  which  is  necessary  for  their 
own  maintenance.  The  greater  part  of  the  tribute 
money  was  designed  to  be  expended  for  their  own  bene- 
fit. Out  of  it  they  are  required  to  pay  not  only  the 
curate's  fees,  but  the  charges  of  the  fiscal  protector  who 
defends  their  suits.  The  chief,  by  right  of  the  chiefship, 
as  well  as  the  Indian  governors,  are  exempt  from  every 
kind  of  impost ;  so  also  are  the  crippled,  the  blind,  the 
demented,  and  the  deformed,  of  which  last  two  there  are 
great  numbers  among  the  Indians  ;  neither  is  the  obliga- 
tion to  pay  tribute  binding  upon  the  eldest  sons  of  the 
chiefs,  nor  upon  those  who  hold  the  office  of  sextons  in  the 
churches,  or  who  belong  to  the  choir  of  music,  nor  upon 
any  Indian  magistrate  who  holds  an  office  in  the  Indian 
towns  and  villages.  Under  such  a  system,  it  appears  as 
if  the  tribute  of  the  Indians  cannot  be  more  moderate, 
unless  we  exempt  them  from  contributions  of  every  kind. 
But  what  matters  it  that  it  should  appear  so,  when  viewed 
from  a  distance,  if  the  best  laws  are  trampled  upon  in 
practice,  and  rendered  inoperative  b}"  a  system  of  cruelty 
and  injustice?  The  corregidors  not  only  oblige  the 
young  to  pay  tribute  before  the  time  specified,  but  exact 
it  of  those  who  are  exempt  by  law,  having  attained  the 
age  of  fift^'-five  ;  and,  although  the}'  are  so  far  advanced 
in  3'ears  as  to  beg,  for  want  of  strength  to  labor,  their 
names  are  not  erased  from  the  list  of  the  collector  ;  and, 
as  the  Indians  are  remarkable  for  longevit}',  they  fre- 
quentl}'  pa}'  tribute  till  they  have  passed  the  age  of  sev- 
enty. The  same  practice  obtains  in  respect  to  all,  when 
they  are  not  wholly  disabled  from  work  by  infirmity  ;  so 
that  none  are  exempt  except  such  as  are  incapable  of 
earning  a  livelihood.  If  the  chiefs,  the  governors,  and 
sextons  escape  the  contagion  of  miser}',  it  is  because 
they  are  beyond  the  reach  of  the  arbitrary  power  of  the 


11 


coiTcgicIors  ;  for,  in  case  the}^  were  as  defenceless  as  the 
rest,  the  same  thing  would  happen  to  them. 

It  might  appear  that  the  injustice  done  the  Indians  by 
the  corregidors,  in  obliging  them  to  pa}'  when  they  are 
exempted  by  roj'al  favor,  is  not  so  great  as  our  last  re- 
mark would  impl}',  because  it  falls  exclusivel}'  on  those 
who  are  nominall}-  a  privileged  class,  and  not  upon  the 
whole  community  of  Indians.  This  conclusion,  however, 
is  incorrect,  for  the  injury-  is  felt  by  all :  by  some,  in 
being  compelled  to  pay  tribute,  b}'  the  mere  caprice  of 
the  corregidor,  prior  to  the  competent  age,  as  is  the  case 
with  the  greater  part  of  them,  who  contribute  two  or 
three  years  before  the}'  are  bound  to  ;  and  b}^  others,  in 
continuing  to  pay  after  having  passed  the  age  prescribed 
by  law.  It  also  happens  that,  the  young  not  having 
cnjo^'ed  a  season  of  repose  sufficient  to  enable  them  to 
labor  with  the  requisite  assiduity,  being  made  subject  to 
tribute  illegall}-,  fathers  and  elder  brothers  are  bound,  if 
they  would  not  see  a  son  or  brother  punished  with  the 
whip,  to  unite  their  efforts  to  help  him  earn  the  tribute 
money ;  and,  if  the}'  fail  to  do  so,  daughters  and  wives 
must  put  their  hands  to  the  work,  in  order  to  make  up 
the  deliciency  in  the  amount  due  :  hence  it  is  that  the 
age  in  which  they  have  a  right  to  enjoy  some  repose  is 
that  in  which  their  burdens  are  heaviest.  The  same 
takes  place  in  respect  to  idiots,  deformed  persons,  and 
other  unfortunate  creatures,  who  ought  to  be  of  the  priv- 
ileged class  ;  but,  so  far  from  it,  the  burden  is  made  to 
fall  upon  the  rest,  who,  in  addition  to  the  labor  necessary 
to  pay  their  own  contribution,  have  to  perform  a  twofold 
task  to  pa}'  the  tribute  of  tliose  who  are  unable  to  work. 
The  Indian  women,  especially,  are  obliged  to  task  them- 
selves the  whole  year  round,  in  order  to  meet,  by  unre- 
mitting toil,  the  unjust  demands  of  the  corregidor. 

Nor  is  the  rapacity  of  the  corregidor  content  with 
obliging  those  to  pay  tribute  who  arc  exempted  by  law  ; 
but  it  is  often  can-ied  to  such  an  extreme  as  to  enforce 
the  payment  of  a  twoloM  contribution.  This  is  practised 
towards  the  field  Indians,  which  are  those  who  neither 
perform  the  meta  service  nor  live  in  the  Indian  villages. 


12 


These  poor  laborers  pay  the  tribute  to  the  corregidor  or 
his  suljnltcrns,  who  are  numerous,  and  who  give  them  a 
receipt  for  the  monc}^ ;  but,  as  the  Indians  are  an  un- 
taught race,  and  have  not  sagacit}-  to  foresee  the  conse- 
quences of  neglect,  besides  not  having  in  their  huts 
either  box  or  shelf  where  to  place  an}'  thing  for  security, 
it  sometunes  happens  that  the  receipt  is  lost,  and  pa}'- 
ment  is  demanded  a  second  time  ;  and  when  another 
collector,  or  perhaps  the  same,  comes  to  enforce  the 
demand,  the  Indian  goes  to  look  for  the  receipt,  and,  as 
he  is  unable  to  read,  he  brings  the  first  paper  that  comes 
to  hand,  or  perhaps  an  old  receipt,  and  presents  it  without 
fear  of  being  suspected.  The  collector  is  not  satisfied 
with  it ;  and,  although  the  Indian  weary  himself  in  con- 
vincing him  that  he  has  paid  his  portion  of  the  tribute, 
he  charges  him  with  fraudulent  designs,  and,  after  abus- 
ing him,  carries  off  whatever  he  can  find  in  his  hut,  and, 
if  there  is  nothing  there  of  any  value,  he  puts  him  into 
a  factory  (which  is  the  usual  method),  where  he  is  kept 
at  work  until  the  debt  is  paid.  The  wi'etched  Indian, 
finding  himself  grievously  oppressed,  and  siii!i;ing  under 
the  weight  of  want  and  of  a  sense  of  injustice,  dies  in  a 
short  time  :  unless  his  wife  or  daughters  have  been  able 
to  raise  the  amount  required,  or  unless  some  individual, 
more  compassionate  than  the  rest,  comes  forward  to 
advance  the  money,  on  condition  of  recovering  it  by 
hiring  the  Indian  out  to  service.  The  meta  Indians  do 
not  pay  tribute  personally  ;  but  the  masters  whom  they 
serve  pay  for  them,  and  collect  and  preserve  receipts  for 
all  those  who  are  under  their  charge,  and  b}^  this  means 
they  arc  shielded  from  injustice.  Those  who  live  in 
small  villages  pay  the  cacique,  who  delivers  the  whole 
amount,  when  collected,  to  the  corregidor. 

Besides  the  privilege  granted  to  those  who  are  ex- 
empted from  tribute,  another  not  less  reasonable  has 
been  conceded  in  favor  of  those  Indians  who  have  been 
absent  for  a  certain  term,  perhaps  for  one  or  two  j'ears, 
without  having  paid  tribute  in  the  department  to  which 
they  belong;  which  is,  that,  on  their  return,  they  are 
liable  for  only  one-third  of  the  contribution  —  a  very 


13 


merciful  provision  in  behalf  of  that  race,  and  which  has 
iu  its  support  two  important  arguments  —  one  that,  as 
all  the  eorreo;idors  collect  tribute  of  transient  Indians  in 
the  same  waj-  as  they  do  of  those  who  reside  iu  the  vil- 
lages, it  is  to  be  supposed  that,  although  the  Indian  may 
not  have  paid  the  corregidor  of  his  district,  he  has  paid 
some  other ;  the  second  reason  is,  that,  although  the  In- 
dian should  have  paid  no  corregidor  in  two  or  three 
years,  and  although  in  the  lapse  of  this  period  he  may 
have  earned  a  great  deal,  at  the  close  of  it  he  has  no 
more  stock  or  estate  than  that  which  was  left  him  after 
having  made  his  last  payment ;  so  that,  being  insolvent, 
he  is  naturallly  discharged  from  the  debt.  But  this  is 
not  the  case  in  practice  ;  for,  as  soon  as  the  Indian 
appears,  he  is  made  debtor  for  all  the  time  that  has 
elapsed  since  the  corregidor  came  into  office  for  which 
he  cannot  show  receipts.  Hence  he  is  treated  in  the 
manner  above  mentioned ;  if  he  possess  anything  of 
value,  it  is  deducted  on  account  of  the  debt ;  but  he  is 
not  discharged  from  the  factory  until  the  whole  amount 
has  been  paid. 

All  these  acts  of  extortion,  which  are  committed  under  a 
false  pretence  of  zeal  in  the  service  of  the  Icing  and  of  the 
royal  exchequer,  are  in  reality  nothing  but  artifices  used 
to  augment  the  revenue  of  the  corregidors  themselves ; 
who  basely  assume  this  mask  to  justif}'  their  iniquity, 
which,  however  it  may  be  disguised  under  one  form  of 
0[)pressiou,  never  fails  to  come  to  light  by  means  of 
another. 

The  Indians  of  those  countries  are  in  reality  slaves, 
and  happy  Avould  it  be  for  them  had  the}'  onlj-  one 
master  to  whom  to  contribute  the  avails  of  their  hard 
earnings  ;  liut  these  are  so  numerous,  that,  in  view  of 
the  obligations  they  are  under  to  all  of  them,  they  can- 
not claim  as  their  own  the  smallest  portion  of  all  they 
have  acquired  with  so  much  care  and  industry.  But, 
this  chapter  having  for  its  subject  the  extortions  of  the 
corregidors,  we  sliall  afterwards  treat  of  those  which  are 
practised  upon  them  by  other  classes  of  magistrates,  both 
civil  and  ecclesiastical. 


14 


The  departments  of  the  Province  of  Quito  are  of  vari- 
ous kinds :  some  of  trade,  others  of  husbandry,  and 
others  of  manufactures.  In  them  all,  a  large  portion  of 
the  revenue  reverts  to  the  corregidors.  In  the  trading 
districts,  they  absorb  the  greater  part :  for  they  take  into 
their  own  service  the  very  Indians  whom  they  deprive 
during  the  whole  year.  The  only  individuals  excepted  of 
the  benefit  of  trade  ;  and,  by  giving  them  what  is  barely 
necessary  for  their  support,  they  secure  to  themselves 
the  profits  which  they  have  usurped  from  them  ;  and,  bj'' 
requiring  them  to  labor  on  alternate  clays,  they  keep 
them  always  emplo3'ed  in  their  service.  In  these  dis- 
tricts, where  all  the  Indians  included  in  their  precincts 
are  weavers,  thej^  compel  them  to  manufacture  differend 
articles  ;  and,  by  giving  them  the  materials  only,  and 
ver}^  reduced  wages,  they  keep  them  constantly  em- 
ploj'cd  for  their  benefit,  as  they  would  do  if  they  were 
slaves.  Should  they,  in  return  for  so  hard  labor,  remit 
to  them  their  tribute  monej^  the  burden  might  be  made 
tolerable  ;  but,  far  from  doing  them  this  kindness  (and 
it  would  be  only  an  act  of  justice),  they  exact  it  with  as 
much  severity  as  if  they  had  rendered  them  no  service 
from  this  service  are  those  who  live  in  districts  where 
there  are  estates  for  agriculture  or  grazing ;  and  if,  to 
their  sorrow,  the  case  should  occur  that  the  corregidor 
has  an  estate  of  his  own,  or  a  hired  one,  it  comes  to  be 
the  rendezvous  of  all  the  Indians  who  have  not  paid  their 
tribute  promptly  ;  and  thus,  on  every  hand,  that  people 
have  no  more  freedom  than  the  corregidor  pleases  to 
grant  them,  nor  any  more  fruit  of  their  labor  than  what 
is  conceded  to  them  as  a  mere  gratuity. 

Still  greater  iniquity  is  practised  in  suits  at  law  ;  for  their 
judges  desii'e  nothing  so  much  as  some  occasion  of  dispute 
or  difference  to  complete  their  ruin  :  so  that,  be  the  motive 
what  it  will,  it  is  always  sufficient  to  secure  their  object ; 
for,  what  with  fines,  and  what  with  costs  of  suit,  they  lay 
hold  of  a  mule,  cow,  or  any  animal  the  Indian  may  jdos- 
sess,  and  which  constitutes  the  whole  estate  of  the  richest 
among  them.  These  acts  of  extortion,  which  have  no 
limit,  have  reduced  them  to  a  condition  so  deplorable 


15 


that  the  state  of  the  most  miserable  beings  that  can  be 
conceived  is  not  to  be  compared  with  that  of  these  In- 
dians. Let  us  now  take  a  view  of  what  obtains  in  the 
districts  in  which  the  distributions  are  made  ;  and  we 
shall  witness  greater  enormities,  although  of  a  different 
nature. 

It  is  from  the  department  of  Loja  that  the  distribution 
sj-stem  {reparlimieyitos)  commences,  —  a  sj'stem  so  ini- 
quitous that  it  appears  to  have  been  imposed  upon  that 
race  b}'  way  of  punishment,  for  nothing  more  oppressive 
can  be  imagined.  It  must  be  admitted  that,  if  it  were 
properly  managed,  as  it  appears  to  have  been  intended 
in  its  origin,  no  evil  would  result ;  for  with  a  view  to  the 
greater  convenience  of  the  Indians,  and  that  they  might 
not  be  destitute  of  the  means  of  clothing  themselves  and 
of  carrying  on  their  husbandry  or  trade,  corregidors  were 
allowed  to  purchase  a  quantity  of  such  articles  as  were 
suited  to  each  department,  and  to  distribute  them  among 
the  Indians  at  moderate  prices,  in  order  that,  having  im- 
plements for  labor,  the}*  might  shake  off  the  apathy  which 
is  innate  in  their  constitution,  and  use  the  exertion  re- 
quisite for  paying  their  tribute  and  earning  a  livelihood. 
Were  it  continued  on  this  principle,  and  were  the  cor- 
regidor  content  with  moderate  profits,  it  would  be  a  judi 
cious  S3'stem  ;  but,  as  it  is  now  practised,  it  deserves  no 
other  epithet  but  that  of  the  most  dreadful  tyi'anny  that 
could  be  invented. 

Tlie  articles  of  distribution  are  chiefly  mules,  foreign 
and  domestic  goods,  and  produce  ;  and,  as  this  S3'stem 
was  commenced  at  an  early  period,  it  is  already  under- 
stood what  articles  are  suited  to  each  department.  The 
corregidors  who  are  attached  to  the  vicero3'alty  of  Lima 
must  necessarily  go  to  that  city  to  take  out  a  license, 
and  to  receive  their  despatch  from  the  vicero3%  in  order* 
to  be  inducted  into  office  ;  and,  as  Lima  is  the  grand  depot 
of  the  trade  of  Peru,  it  is  in  that  cit3^  that  an  assortment 
of  artiflcs  for  distribution  is  to  l»e  made,  and  for  this  pur- 
pose the3'  taiie  the  goods  required  fruui  the  shop  of  soma 
merchant  or  trader  on  credit,  at  an  exorbitant  price  ;  and, 
as  the  traders  are  aware  of  the  enormous  profits  the  cor- 


16 

regidors  make  in  the  sale,  they  raise  the  prices  of  the 
goods,  in  order  to  have  a  share  in  the  speculation.  The 
corregidors  have  no  money  before  they  come  into  office  ; 
and,  being  unable  to  purchase  for  a  ready  sum,  they  are 
obliged  to  submit  to  any  terms  which  the  creditor  may 
prescribe,  as  they  are  in  duty  bound,  on  account  of  the 
money  which  the  merchant  is  to  lend  him  for  the  pur- 
chase of  the  mules  required  for  transportation. 

As  soon  as  the  corregidor  comes  within  his  jurisdiction, 
the  first  act  of  his  administration  is  to  take  a  census  of 
the  Indians,  according  to  their  towns  and  villages.    Pro- 
ceeding to  this  duty  in  person,  and  taking  with  him  the 
articles  of  merchandise  to  be  distributed,  he  goes  on,  ap- 
portioning the  quantity  and  kind  he  selects  for  every  In- 
dian, and  affixing  to  each  article  its  price,  just  as  suits 
his  caprice  ;  the  poor  Indians  being  wholly  ignorant  of 
what  is  to  fall  to  their  lot,  or  how  much  it  is  to  cost 
them.     As  soon  as  he  has  finished  distributing  in  one 
village,  he  transfers  the  whole  assortment  to  the  cacique, 
with  an  exact  inventory  of  the  articles  belonging  to  each 
individual,  from  the  cacique  himself  to  the  most  humble 
of  all  those  who  are  to  pay  tribute  ;  and  the  corregidor 
proceeds  to  another  village,  in  order  to  continue  the  dis- 
tribution.    It  is  a  time  of  anguish,  both  to  the  cacique 
and  the  Indians,  when  they  look  at  the  quantity,  quality, 
and  prices  of  the  goods.     In  vain  does  the  cacique  re- 
monstrate, and  to  no  purpose  do  the  Indians  raise  their 
clamors.     On  the  one   hand,    they  maintain   that  their 
means  are  not  adequate  to  such  a  quantity  of  merchan- 
dise as  is  assigned  them,  being  absolutely  unable  to  pay 
for  it;  again,  they  urge  that  goods  of  such  a  description 
are  utterly  useless  to  them,  and  that  the  prices  are  so 
exorbitant  as  to  exceed  any  thing  they  had  ever  paid  be- 
fore.    The  corregidor  remains  inexorable,  and  the  In- 
dians  are   obliged   to  take  wliatever   has  l)een  allotted 
them,  however  repugnant  it  may  be  to  their  wishes,  and 
however  straitened  they  are  for  want  of  means  to  make 
the  payments  ;    for  these  payments  become  due  simul- 
taneously with  the  tribute  money,  and  a  failure  to  meet 
one  or  the  other  with  promptness  makes  them  liable  to  a 


17 


pcualt}'  equally  severe.  The  whole  cost  of  the  first  dis- 
tribution must  be  paid  within  two  years  and  a  half,  to 
malce  room  ibr  the  second,  which  commences  at  the  close 
of  that  period,  but  which  does  not  contain  so  great  an 
assortment  as  the  first. 

In  addition  to  these  supphes,  which  are  usually  the 
most  important,  whenever  the  corrcgidor  make  a  Aisit  to 
collect  debts  (and  he  never  does  it  for  any  other  motive) , 
he  takes  with  him  an  assortment  of  goods,  to  apportion 
an  additional  (luantit}'  to  those  who  have  made  their  pay- 
ments most  promptly' ;  and,  as  the  Indians  have  received 
in  the  first  division  those  articles  which  are  of  least  value 
to  them  (such  as  are  of  absolute  necessity  being  kept 
back  for  this  occasion) ,  all  who  are  in  want  are  obhgcd 
to  take  them  under  the  denomination  of  a  voluntary  sale  ; 
and,  although  they  are  at  liberty  on  this  occasiun  to  select 
such  articles  as  they  lake,  they  are  not  so  as  to  the  bar- 
gain :  to  set  the  price  is  a  prerogative  reserved  to  the  cor- 
rcgidor ;  which  is  so  well  understood  that  the  poor  In- 
dians no  longer  think  it  strange  that  they  must  submit  to 
it  without  nun-muring. 

It  is  not  left  to  the  choice  of  the  Indians  to  supply 
themselves  elsewhere,  even,  with  the  necessary  articles 
furnished  by  the  coiTcgidor :  hence  they  are  obliged  to 
purchase  them  at  his  hands  ;  for,  in  the  towns  that  are 
exclusivel}'  Indian,  they  do  not  license  any  shop  but 
their  own,  and  they  have  one  in  every  village,  to  which 
all  must  of  necessity  go  to  purchase.  The  latter  obtains 
Likewise  in  the  departments  of  the  Province  of  Quito, 
where  goods  are  also  sold  at  exorbitant  prices  ;  but  not  so 
much  so  as  in  the  rest  of  Peru,  where  the  distribution 
system  prevails.  Nor  can  the  Indian  decline  receiving 
the  goods  at  the  price  stipulated  l)y  the  corrcgidor,  even 
though  he  pa}'  in  ready  money,  it  IjcLng  left  to  his  choice 
to  pay  or  buy  on  credit ;  and,  when  he  offers  tlic  money 
in  advance,  no  a])atemeut  is  made,  as  would  be  equi- 
table. 

Among  the  tyrannical  acts  practised  by  means  of  the 
distribution,  some  of  which  we  shall  present  to  view,  that 
which  prevails  in  apportioning  mules  ou^ht  to  have  the 


18 


first  i)lace.  Of  these  auimals,  the  greatest  number  are 
iutroduccd  into  those  departments  which  cany  on  some 
other  trade  than  that  which  is  required  for  the  transport 
of  their  own  produce,  being  thoroughfares  for  the  com- 
merce of  the  interior.  The  corregidors  of  these  districts 
purchase  droves  of  mules,  consisting  of  five  or  six  hun- 
dred each,  according  to  the  demand  for  them,  and  have 
them  driven  from  the  pastures  where  they  ai-e  bred.  Each 
mule  placed  in  his  department  costs  him  from  fourteen  to 
sixteen  dollars,  and  when  they  are  most  in  demand  they 
do  not  exceed  eighteen  ;  and  to  bring  this  price  they 
must  be  very  scarce,  or  of  a  superior  qualit}'.  The  cor- 
regidor  afterwards  distributes  them  among  the  Indians  ; 
allotting  to  some  four,  to  others  six,  and  to  all  more  or 
less,  according  to  the  supposed  abilit}'  of  each  one  to  pay 
for  them :  and  the  usual  price  at  wliich  they  are  chaj'ged 
to  them  is  from  forty  to  fort3'-four  dollars,  and  even  more 
if  they  are  good,  the  cost  of  which  must  be  paid  within  a 
prescribed  term.  The  Indians  who  receive  these  mules 
are  not  permitted  to  make  use  of  them  as  they  please  ;  for 
they  are  strictly  prohibited  from  hiring  them  out,  unless 
it  be  y.'ith  the  consent  of  the  corregidor  liims(,'lf,  who 
adopts  this  course  under  pretext  of  avoiding  contraband 
trade,  when  the  only  ground  of  this  injustice  is  that 
they  shaU  not'hire  them  out  without  allowing  him  a  por- 
tion of  the  profits,  and  the  privilege  of  takuig  the  re- 
mainder to  his  own  account  in  payment  of  the  mules. 

As  soon  as  travellers  reach  these  departments,  the  first 
thing  to  be  done  is  to  apply  to  the  corregidor  for  mules, 
and  to  make  known  to  him  the  number  they  require. 
The  latter  looks  at  his  list  to  see  which  of  the  Indians  is 
most  indebted  to  him  on  account  of  the  mules  apportioned 
them,  and  sends  for  them  to  come  frpm  their  villages  to 
perform  the  journey.  The  corregidor  himself  collects  the 
amount  of  freight,  keeps  back  one-half  on  account  of  the 
debt,  delivers  a  quarter  part  to  the  owner  of  the  mides  to 
pay  what  ma}-  be  needed  for  the  purchase  of  hay  to  feed 
the  animals  On  the  I'oad,  and  with  the  remaining  fourth 
part  he  pays  the  peons,  whose  office  is  to  drive  and  lade 
the  mules ;  so  that,  in  consequence  of  this  arbitrary  dis- 


19 


tribution,  the  owner  is  left  not  only  without  any  profit, 
but  even  without  the  means  of  paying  his  expenses  on 
the  journe}'.  In  this  distribution  we  ma}^  notice  another 
circumstance,  which  shows  the  care  taken  b}-  these  cor- 
regidors  not  to  lose  any  part  of  what  they  extort  from 
the  Indians  ;  for,  although  the  wages  of  the  peons  are  at 
such  a  low  rate,  the}-  deduct  one-half  for  account  of  what 
the}'  owe  for  the  supply  of  the  articles  of  clothing  they 
have  received,  though  the  term  allowed  for  payment  has 
not  3-et  expired. 

The  Indian  sets  out  on  his  journey  with  his  drove,  and, 
as  travelling  in  those  countries  is  attended  with  hardship, 
it  frequentl}-  happens  that  the  mules  tire  on  the  wa}',  and 
that  one  or  more  of  them  die  ;  but,  as  the  drivers  are 
obliged  to  prosecute  their  journe}',  and  have  no  money 
to  hire  another  mule,  the  owner  is  obliged  to  sell  one  at 
a  ver}-  low  price,  in  order  to  hire  two  others  with  the 
proceeds,  at  a  high  price,  to  make  up  the  deficiency  of  the 
mule  that  died,  as  well  as  of  that  which  was  sold.  Hence, 
when  the  owner  reaches  his  journey's  end,  he  finds  he  has 
two  mules  less  than  before,  and  has  received  no  indem- 
nity for  the  loss  ;  but  is  more  indebted  than  ever,  and 
without  the  means  of  pa3-ing  for  his  own  maintenance.  A 
single  circumstance  might  enable  him  to  bear  his  disap- 
pointment, and  that  is,  the  finding  some  return  freight  in 
the  village  to  wliich  he  is  going,  —  a  thing  which  is  ver}' 
rare  ;  and  even  in  this  case  he  can  take  onl}-  a  light  load 
for  the  mules  which  he  has  left,  and  at  a  reduced  freight, 
esteeming  himself  very  fortunate  if  he  can  make  up  his 
loss  with  the  avails  of  the  return  freight,  although  he 
should  have  realized  no  profit  after  a  journey  of  many 
months. 

Cruel  as  are  the  details  of  wrong  exercised  in  the  ap- 
portioning of  mules  1)3'  the  corregidors  of  Peru,  others 
still  more  oppressive  are  practised  towards  the  Indians. 
When,  b}'  dint  of  journeyings  and  hard  labor,  the  pur- 
chaser has  paid  the  full  amount  duo  for  the  mules  allotted 
to  him,  the  corregidor  never  thinks  it  worth  a  thought  to 
give  him  excursions  on  which  he  might  realize  a  profit ; 
nor  docs  it  avail  him  to  seek  for  them  himself,  inasmuch 


20 


as  he  is  not  at  liberty  to  hire  out  his  mules  to  an}'  one. 
The  rigor  practised  in  this  respect  is  so  extreme  that,  al- 
though the  purchaser  of  mules  may  be  indebted  to  the 
corregidor  for  other  articles  which  he  has  allotted  him, 
this  is  not  deemed  a  sufficient  reason  why  he  should  have 
an  opportunity  to  work  out  the  debt  with  his  drove  of 
mules  ;  for  this  debt  is  to  be  paid  by  another  species  of 
labor,  such  as  the  produce  of  his  garden,  the  earnings 
of  his  wife  at  the  loom,  the  cattle  which  he  has  reared, 
or  something  equivalent.  At  other  times,  the  corregidor 
assigns  a  new  supply  of  mules  to  the  Indians  who  have 
paid  for  the  first,  even  when  they  do  not  need  them,  in 
order  to  have  a  pretext  for  emplo^'ing  them  continually 
in  a  trade  the  entire  benefit  of  which  remains  for  his 
account. 

In  view  of  all  this,  it  will  not  be  denied  that  the  Indians 
are  in  a  more  pitiable  condition  than  African  slaves  ;  for 
the  most  that  can  be  done  with  the  latter  is  to  give  them 
a  task  in  some  department  of  labor,  that  they  may  work 
for  the  benefit  of  the  master,  the  latter  incurring  the  risk 
of  loss  or  gain  ;  but  this  is  not  the  case  with  the  Indians, 
for  they  must  bear  the  loss  of  the  mules  that  die,  from 
the  moment  they  are  delivered  to  them,  while  the  cor- 
regidor claims  the  earnings  of  them  all :  thus  leaving  the 
Indians  a  useless  possession  after  having  paid  for  it  three 
times  over  ;  for  they  are  not  at  liberty  to  use  them,  nor  can 
they  be  of  an}'  service  to  them,  except  by  enabling  them 
to  pay  for  others  which  the  corregidor  is  to  furnish  them 
in  the  following  distribution.  A  slave  is  employed  in  one 
branch  of  labor,  and,  when  his  task  is  done,  another  is 
given  him  ;  each  slave  has  his  particular  trade  or  work, 
and,  if  necessity  should  require  him  to  suspend  it,  it  is 
the  master  who  loses  his  hire.  But  it  is  otherwise  Avith 
the  Indians  ;  for,  while  they  pursue  one  steady  occupa- 
tion, their  wives  and  children  must  busy  themselves  in  as 
many  more  to  fulfil  the  obligations  imposed  upon  them 
by  the  corregidors. 

The  repartition  of  mules  is  attended  with  so  much  rigor 
that  it  seems  as  if  one  must  be  forsaken  of  God  to  be 
capable  of  such  flagrant  injustice  ;  and,  to  make  this  still 


21 


more  evident,  we  shall  cite  one  of  those  examples  which 
occur  continuall}-,  having  been  ourselves  witnesses  of  it. 
In  the  year  1 742,  while  on  our  way  a  second  time  to  Lima, 
at  the  request  of  the  viceroy,  we  arrived  at  a  village  in 
which  the  distribution  had  been  completed  the  day  pre- 
vious, and  of  this  distribution  four  mules  had  been  allot- 
ted to  the  owner  of  the  house  where  we  had  taken  up  our 
quarters.  The  latter  would  not  receive  them,  neither  by 
dint  of  entreaties  nor  threats  made  by  the  corregidor ; 
for  he  apprehended  from  their  bad  condition  that  they 
would  die  without  having  rendered  him  any  service.  He 
differed  with  the  corregidor,  not  on  account  of  their  high 
price,  although  they  were  charged  at  forty-four  dollars 
each,  but  on  account  of  their  extreme  leanness  :  begging 
him  to  give  him  good  mules,  and  he  would  not  refuse  to 
take  them  ;  but  that  they  were  in  a  dying  condition,  and 
that  it  was  only  their  slcin  that  would  be  of  any  value. 
Having  made  these  complaints,  he  returned  home,  con- 
fident that  he  should  obtain  others  in  their  stead  :  but  he 
was  quite  mistaken  in  this  ;  for  that  same  niglit  the^Mvere 
tied  to  his  gate  by  a  sheriff,  who  told  him  from  without 
that  he  had  left  the  mules  there  by  order  of  the  corregi- 
dor. His  dooi's  being  closed,  he  did  not  take  the  pre- 
caution to  go  and  bring  them  in,  and  the  next  morning 
he  found  one  dead.  He  was  obliged,  however,  to  pay  for 
all  four.  This  occurs  frequently',  owing  to  the  fact  that 
the  animals  are  taken  from  the  pastures  where  they  are 
bred  wliile  they  are  3-oimg,  and,  in  passing  over  the  dis- 
tance of  a  hundred  and  more  leagues,  to  reach  the  differ- 
ent departments,  they  travel  through  climates  to  which 
they  are  not  accustomed,  and,  m  consequence  of  chang- 
ing their  pastures,  many  of  them  become  sick  and  die ;, 
and,  that  tlie  loss  ma}'  not  fall  upon  the  corregidor,  he 
makes  the  distribution  as  soon  as  they  arrive  in  the 
province,  and  compels  the  Indians  to  receive  them  in 
that  state.  Were  this  purchase  voluntary  on  the  i)art  of 
the  Indians,  or  even  were  they  content  with  what  is  allot- 
ted them,  there  would  be  no  ground  of  complaint ;  but 
that  they  should  be  compelled  to  take  what  is  neither 
useful  nor  to  their  liking,  and  pa}'  for  it  so  exorbitantly, 


22 


appears  to  be  the  highest  point  to  which  oppression  can 
be  carried. 

Passing  now  from  the  distribution  of  mules,  we  shall 
proceed  to  that  of  manufactures  and  produce,  which  will 
occasion  no  less  surprise  than  the  preceding.  "We  have- 
already  remarked  that  articles  of  manufacture  are  distri- 
buted to  the  Indians  at  prices  so  exorbitant  as  to  exceed 
any  idea  that  could  be  formed  of  it  by  any  other  than  an 
ej-e-witness ;  and  this  will  be  corroborated  by  an  occur- 
rence which  took  place  in  a  town  not  far  distant  from 
Lima,  in  the  j'ear  1743.  The  corregidor  took  home, 
among  other  articles,  some  woollen  stuffs,  manufactured 
in  Quito,  which  are  sold  by  retail,  in  the  Lima  shops, 
from  twenty-eight  to  thirty  reals,  when  they  are  of  a 
very  superior  quality  ;  but  the  ordinary  woollens,  which 
are  purchased  for  the  supply  of  the  interior,  seldom  bring 
twent3'-four  reals,  and  the  usual  price  by  wholesale  is  from 
eighteen  to  twenty.  This  corregidor  had  them  transported 
forty  leagues  or  n>ore  from  Lima  ;  and  charged  them  to  the 
Indians  at  such  enormous  prices  that,  if  the  fact  were  not 
notorious,  it  would  be  thought  incredible.  Although  the 
goods  had  been  purchased  at  very  advanced  prices,  on  a 
credit  of  two  years  and  a  half,  the  whole  value  of  the 
articles  distributed  amounted  to  sevent}^  thousand  dollars  ; 
and,  after  all  the  returns  had  been  made  by  the  Indians, 
the  amount  which  the  corregidor  had  realized  from  them 
exceeded  three  hmidred  thousand  dollars. 

The  Indians  of  this  department,  finding  themselves 
more  cruelly  oppressed  by  this  corregidor  than  they  had 
been  by  his  predecessor,  entered  a  complaint  before  the 
viceroy  ;  taking  to  him  samples  of  the  distribution,  with  a 
list  of  the  prices  affixed  to  each  article.  We  do  not  re- 
late this  as  a  matter  of  hearsay,  for  we  happened  to  be 
present  when  the  Indians  entered  their  protest.  The 
viceroy  listened  to  them,  and  directed  them  to  lay  the 
subject  before  the  audience  ;  and  the  result  was,  that  a 
writ  was  executed  to  have  the  Indians  taken  and  pun- 
ished as  seditious  persons.  The  fact  was,  that  as  soon 
as  the  mayor  learned  that  those  Indians  had  disappeai-ed 
from  within  his  jurisdiction,  entertaining  no  doubt  that 


2 


f» 


llie}'  had  gone  to  enter  a  complaint  against  him,  he  in- 
dicted them  for  sedition,  and  set  forth  in  the  indictment 
that  they  had  absented  themselves  from  fear  of  punish- 
ment. This  summary  he  immediate!}'  remitted  to  the 
audience,  at  the  same  time  seeking  to  interest  the  friends 
he  had  in  that  city  in  the  business  ;  and  through  their  in- 
fluence he  succeeded  in  acquitting  himself  of  the  charges 
made  ao-ainst  him,  becoming  in  his  turn  the  accuser,  in 
order  not  only  to  rob  the  Indians  of  their  rights,  but  also 
to  intimidate  them,  that  they  might  not  venture  to  make 
a  complaint  against  him  in  future. 

The  cruelty  of  the  system  of  distribution  is  not  confined 
to  the  enormous  prices  at  which  the  Indians  are  obliged 
to  purchase,  but  is  even  much  greater  in  respect  to  the 
articles  distributed,  which  usually  consist  of  goods  that 
are  of  no  use  to  the  purchaser.  In  Spain,  we  arc  wont 
to  speak  of  this  as  partaking  more  of  fiction  than  of 
truth  ;  nor  are  we  accurately  informed  of  what  takes 
place  there,  as  the  communications  reach  us  in  a  dimin- 
ished shape,  and  the  fear  of  having  them  regarded  as  im- 
probable curtails  them,  and  gives  them  another  coloring, 
Idv  confining  them  to  generalities  ;  but  to  make  it  evi- 
dent, that  Avhat  the  corregidors  do  there  exceeds  what 
we  have  an^'  account  of  here,  it  will  be  proper  to  de- 
scribe in  detail  the  method  used  by  them  to  furnish  them- 
selves with  the  goods  which  thc}'^  need  for  distribution. 
It  is  well  known  that  a  corregidor  who  goes  to  the  shop 
of  a  tradesman,  whom  he  does  not  know  except  b}'^  hav- 
ing heard  his  name  (while  the  latter  does  not  know  the 
former,  except  as  corregidor  of  such  a  department,  who 
is  going  to  purchase  on  credit,  for  want  of  money), 
is  compelled  to  receive  whatever  is  given  him  ;  which  is 
usually  the  most  unsalable  part  of  his  slock,  and  it  is 
perhaps  with  a  view  to  rid  himself  of  such  trash  that  he 
runs  the  risk  of  letting  him  take  it  on  credit :  but,  al- 
though the  dealer  offer  him  the  goods  as  he  would  on 
condition  of  payment  in  ready  money,  he  is  still  obhged 
to  receive  an  assortment  of  all  he  has  in  his  shop,  as  it 
does  not  stand  the  dealer  in  account  to  have  him  pur- 
chase onl}'  the  most  salable  articles,  and  it  has  hence  be- 


24 


come  customary,  in  making  large  purchases,  to  take  an 
assortment  of  the  whole  stock. 

80  much  being  premised,  the  corregidor  receives  a  part 
of  all  which  the  dealer  has  for  sale,  takes  it  to  his  depart- 
ment, and  distributes  it  collectively,  as  it  is  not  to  be  sup- 
posed he  would  lose  those  things  which  are  useless  to  the 
Indians.  Of  what  possible  service  can  three  quarters  or 
a  yard  of  velvet,  at  forty  or  fifty  dollars,  be  to  one  of  those 
serfs,  who  might  be  compared  to  the  most  clownish  and 
wretched  peasants  of  Spain,  and  who  is  employed  in  dig- 
ging the  ground,  or  travelling  on  foot  behind  his  master's 
mule  to  earn  a  da3-'s  wages,  which  scarcely  suffice  for  his 
bare  wants  ?  And  of  what  value  to  him  would  be  a  simi- 
lar amount  of  sillt  or  satin  ?  What  use  could  he  make  of 
a  pair  of  silk  stockings,  when  he  would  thank  God  if  he 
could  be  allowed  woollen  ones,  even  of  the  coarsest  text- 
ure ?  What  occasion  has  an  Indian  for  mirrors,  whose 
hut  is  the  abode  of  poverty,  and  in  which  nothing  but 
smoke  is  visible  ?  How  can  he  be  in  want  of  a  padlock, 
if,  even  when  all  his  family  are  absent,  by  simply  turning 
a  door  made  of  reeds  or  skins,  he  protects  a  habitation 
whose  jewels  are  safe,  because  they^  are  of  no  value? 
But  even  this  could  be  passed  over,  in  comparison  of 
what  is  more  worthy  of  notice.  The  Indians,  by  their 
peculiar  constitution,  are  wholly  destitute  of  beard,  nor 
do  thej'  ever  shaAC  their  hair  ;  and  yet  they  are  furnished 
with  razors,  for  which  they  pay  a  very  handsome  price". 
Surely  this  looks  like  making  sport  of  that  unfortunate 
race.  And  what  shall  we  say  of  the  practice  of  compell- 
ing them  to  buy  pens  and  blank  paper,  Avhen  the  greater 
part  do  not  understand  Spanish,  and  when  their  own  lan- 
guage has  never  been  reduced  to  writing  ?  Playing-cards, 
likewise,  are  distributed  for  their  use,  when  they  do  not 
even  know  their  figures,  nor  has  that  people  any  inclina- 
tion for  gambling ;  as  also  cases  for  toljacco,  when  the 
instance  is  not  known  of  any  one  who  has  ever  used 
them.  Not  to  burden  the  narrative  with  details,  we 
shall  pass  over  the  combs,  rings,  buttons,  books,  pla3's, 
lace,  ribbon,  and  such  like,  as  useless  for  them  as  the 
foregoing  ;  and  it  will  suffice  to  say  that  the  only  things 


25 


which  are  of  service  to  them  are  confined  to  the  cotton 
cloth,  niannfiic'tured  in  Quito,  woollen  stuffs,  or  trousers, 
baize,  ami  hats,  all  of  domestic  manufacture.  All  the 
rest,  whether  the}'  be  fabrics,  hardware,  or  other  com- 
modities of  Europe,  are  utterly  valueless  to  them,  al- 
thougii  they  are  made  to  pay  for  them  at  exorbitant 
prices. 

There  are  some  districts  where  domestic  produce  is 
distrilnited,  and  this  is  done  in  those  which  afford  the 
greatest  facilities  for  it.  The  articles  furnished  them 
are  demijohns  of  wine,  brandy,  olives,  and  oil,  most  of 
which  the  Indians  never  consume,  nor  even  taste  of; 
hence,  when  they  receive  a  bottle  of  brandy,  which  is 
charged  to  them  at  the  rate  of  seventy  or  eighty  dollars, 
they  go  in  search  of  some  mestizo  or  grocer,  who  will 
bu}'  it  of  them,  and  they  think  themselves  fortunate  if 
the}'  can  get  ten  or  twelve  dollars  for  it.  The_y  do  the 
same  with  every  other  article,  when  despair  and  indigna- 
tion are  mitigated  by  a  sense  of  sorrow,  and  they  are 
restrained  from  throwing  it  down  and  dashing  it  to 
pieces. 

This  oppressive  treatment  of  the  Indians  b}^  the  cor- 
regidors  was  the  occasion  of  the  insurrection  of  the 
Chunchos,  who  renounced  their  allegiance  to  the  king, 
and,  possessing  themselves  of  the  tract  of  country  in  the 
vicinity  of  Tarma  and  Jauja,  east  of  the  chain  of  the 
Andes,  have  made  war  upon  the  Spaniards  ever  since 
the  year  1712,  nor  have  they  been  able  as  yet  entirely  to 
quell  the  insurrection ;  and  these  are  the  tyrannical 
measures  wliich  their  leader  assured  them  he  would  re- 
form, by  withdrawing  them  from  under  the  Spanish  3'oke. 
It  was  this  which  so  much  alarmed  the  viceroy,  who  was 
apprehensive  lest  the  whole  Province  of  Tarma  should 
take  part  with  the  rebels,  to  extricate  themselves  from  a 
state  of  bondage  which  was  becoming  every  da}^  more 
intcjlerable  ;  and  it  was  full}'  ascertained  that  many  In- 
dian families  deserted  their  villages,  and  retired  to  the 
grounds  occu^jied  by  the  Chunchos,  to  follow  a  party 
which  had  made  a  beginning  under  such  favorable  au- 
spices, having  become  the  terror  of  their  oppressors. 

3 


26 


Another  instance  occurred  in  tliose  provinces  very 
much  hke  the  preceding ;  and,  although  distinct  in  its 
results,  it  serves  to  show  how  little  their  complaints 
are  regarded,  and  how  much  they  suffer  from  tyranny'. 
In'  one  of  the  provinces,  not  yet  burdened  with  the 
distribution  S3'stem,  inasmuch  as  it  had  but  recently 
&nbmitted  to  the  Spanish  authorities,  the  inhabitants, 
acquainted  with  what  was  taking  place  in  towns  where 
it  was  practised,  had  refused  to  admit  it,  although  some 
corregidors  had  attempted  to  introduce  it.  It  fell  at 
kngth  into  the  hands  of  a  more  determined  and  advent- 
urous individual  than  an}'  of  his  predecessors  had  been, 
owing  perhaps  to  the  favor  of  the  principal  magistrates 
in  the  capital.  This  man,  together  with  the  curate,  — 
whose  interest  it  was  to  bargain  with  the  corrcgidor,  — 
determined  to  introduce  the  S3'stem  into  his  district ;  and, 
being  aware  that  the  Indians  would  make  resistance,  in- 
vented a  scheme  fitted  to  secure  his  object.  A  number 
of  Spaniards  used  to  pass  through  his  district,  to  whom, 
for  selfish  ends,  he  had  made  himself  very  obsequious ; 
and,  having  detained  in  his  house  those  whom  he  needed 
for  the  occasion,  under  pretence  of  enjoying  their  society', 
he  summoned  the  chiefs  and  magistrates  of  the  villages 
to  meet  him  on  a  day  appointed,  with  a  view  to  adopt 
some  more  expeditious  method  of  collecting  the  tribute 
money  of  the  Indians,  intimating  that  it  was  his  wish  to 
render  their  burdens  as  light  as  possible.  The  chiefs 
entertained  no  suspicion,  and  met  accordingly  in  the 
principal  village,  where  the  corrcgidor  had  the  Spaniards, 
his  guests,  in  readiness  ;  to  whom  he  had  made  a  false 
accusation  concerning  these  Indians,  stating  that  they 
were  so  fierce  and  incorrigible  that,  besides  having  at- 
tempted an  insurrection  on  various  occasions,  the}-  had 
formed  an  extensive  conspiracy  to  take  away  his  life, 
and  the  lives  of  all  the  curates  and  Spaniards  they  could 
meet  with.  The  guests  listened  to  him  with  credulit}', 
and  promised  to  assist  him  with  their  persons  and  arms. 

The  hour  of  summons  being  come,  the  corrcgidor  gave 
notice  to  the  Spaniards  to  conceal  themselves  in  the  most 
remote  corner  of  the  house  ;   apprising  them  that,  at  a 


27 


preconcerted  signal,  the}'  should  sally  forth  and  fall  upon 
the  Indians,  and  make  them  prisoners.  The  chiefs, 
alcaldes,  and  other  magistrates  of  that  district  pi-esented 
themselves  at  the  corregidor's  with  great  promptness  and 
obedience  ;  and,  when  the  latter  observed  them  all  assem- 
bled, he  gave  the  signal,  and  instantly  the  Spaniards, 
their  servants,  and  some  mestizoes  of  that  village,  rushed 
forth  and  made  them  all  prisoners,  without  meeting  the 
slightest  resistance,  as  they  were  confounded  by  this 
sudden  and  unlooked-for  occnrrence.  After  they  had 
been  properly-  secured,  he  entered  a  suit  against  them  as 
disturbers  of  the  peace  ;  and  alleged  that,  being  the  mag- 
istrates of  the  towns,  they  had  stirred  up  the  Indians  to 
mutiny,  b}'  persuading  them  to  revolt  and  refuse  obedi- 
ence to  the  king  ;  and  he  despatched  them  very  soon  after 
to  Lima,  loaded  with  irons.  The  Audience  investigated 
the  case  ;  and,  although  it  was  universally  known  that 
every  article  contained  in  the  indictment  was  false,  the 
chief's,  and  those  who  had  been  taken  with  them,  were 
sentenced  to  hard  labor  in  the  king's  quarries,  —  some  on 
the  Island  of  St.  Lawrence,  others  at  Callao,  and  others 
in  Valdivia.  This  unjust  exile  and  chastisement  of  the 
most  respectable  individuals  of  that  district  filled  the 
remaining  Indians  with  fear  and  terror ;  and  the  corregi- 
dor,  able  now  to  effect  whatever  his  caprice  suggested, 
entered  upon  the  distriliution,  which  was  at  once  the 
ob'°ct  of  his  desire  and  the  reward  of  his  iniquity'. 

This  circumstance  was  so  well  known  in  Lima  that  no 
reasonalile  man  could  fail  to  express  his  horror  of  it ; 
and,  although  the  notoriety  of  the  fact  and  the  opinion  of 
impartial  persons  were  suflicicnt  to  warrant  its  perfect 
credibilit}',  we  should  not  venture  to  record  it,  had  it  not 
been  communicated  to  us  l)y  an  individual  personally 
known  to  us,  and  a  man  of  undoubted  verac^it}',  and  who 
was  present  in  the  house,  lending  aid  to  the  corregidor, 
and  whose  account  agrees  in  every  particular  witli  that 
which  we  heard  from  the  V\\)S  of  the  unfortunate  chiefs, 
at  the  time  we  were  superintending  tlie  pul)Iic  works  of 
that  fortress,  where  we  saw  them  emploj'cd  as  galley 
slaves. 


28 


The  individual  who  gave  us  the  information,  and  who 
was  an  e^'e-witness  of  the  occurrence,  was  a  Frenchman, 
engaged  in  commerce  in  that  district,  and,  as  he  had 
made  many  journeys  thereabouts,  and  was  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  corregidor,  he  was  fully  aware  that  the 
pretext  used  for  seizing  the  Indians  was  false,  and  that 
the  result  was  unwarrantable  as  well  as  villanous.  But, 
as  he  has  said  himself,  he  had  occasion  to  humor  him, 
lest,  by  seeking  a  quarrel  against  him,  he  should  throw 
obstacles  in  ids  way  whenever  he  had  occasion  to  travel 
in  that  direction.  This  made  it  necessary  for  him  to 
unite  with  the  Spaniards  who  were  present  on  that  occa- 
sion ;  although  no  one  was  ignorant  that  the  whole 
process  was  utterly  false,  and  was  contrived  b}'  the  cor- 
regidor for  no  other  purpose  than  to  drive  the  Indian 
chiefs  from  his  district,  that  the  rest  might  not  resist  the 
ne\t  impost,  as  the  mestizoes  themselves  and  other  in- 
habitants of  the  town  had  intimated  to  him. 

No  sooner  had  the  corregidor  commenced  the  distribu- 
tions than  he  destined  a  part  of  the  Indians  to  labor  in 
the  gold  washings  of  that  province,  that  they  might  pay 
the  cost  of  the  articles  distributed  in  that  metal.  These 
gold  washings  had  never  been  thought  valuable,  from  the 
fact  that  they  were  situated  in  barren  heaths,  remote  from 
any  town  or  village,  and  exposed  to  embarrassments 
arising  from  excessive  cold  and  extreme  moisture  ;  and, 
what  is  more  than  all,  the  quantity  of  gold  obtained  at  the 
cost  of  so  much  labor  was  very  inconsiderable.  At  the 
same  time,  he  had  others  emplo3'ed  in  supplying  him  with 
large  and  small  cattle  for  the  consumption  of  a  neigh- 
boring city,  where  he  had  entered  into  contracts  ;  and,  to 
comply  with  them,  he  took  the  cattle  from  the  Indians  at 
a  paltry  price  ;  therebj'^  depriving  them  of  an  opportunity 
to  sell  them  on  their  own  account,  either  in  the  city  or 
without  leaving  their  houses,  to  pui-chasers  who  might  go 
in  search  of  them,  and  who  would  pay  the  price  they 
had  usually  demanded  :  by  these  means  he  began  to 
straiten  them  to  such  a  degree  that  they  were  reduced  to 
the  most  deplorable  condition. 

This  is  the  kind  of  government   maintained  by  the 


29 


corregidors  in  those  kingdoms ;  to  this  end  all  their 
efforts  are  directed  ;  nor  has  their  S3'stem  of  economy 
any  other  object  than  to  secnre  the  greatest  possible  in- 
come from  their  office.  Even  if  these  statements  were 
not  presented  in  proof  of  their  avarice,  it  might  be 
inferred  from  the  consideration,  that  all  of  them  go  from 
Spain  to  the  Indies  so  destitute  that,  instead  of  carrying 
anything  tliither,  the}'  are  in  debt  on  account  of  obliga- 
tions contracted  from  the  time  they  leave  Spain  until 
thej'  reach  the  district  allotted  to  them  ;  and  that,  during 
their  brief  term  of  office,  which  is  limited  to  five  years, 
the}'  mnke  a  gain  of  at  least  seventy  thousand  dollars, 
and  sometimes  accumulate  even  more  than  two  hundred 
thousand.  This  is  to  be  understood  of  the  net  profits, 
after  having  paid  their  previous  debts  and  fees  of  settle- 
ment, and  after  having  spent  and  squandered  be3'ond  all 
bounds  during  the  whole  term  of  their  administration ; 
for  the  salar}-  and  emoluments  of  their  office  are  so  scanty 
as  to  be  almost  inadequate  for  their  current  expenses. 
There  are,  indeed,  corregidors  whose  salary,  including 
the  collection  of  the  tribute,  amounts  to  four  or  five 
thousand  dollars  a  3'ear ;  3'et  the  greater  part  do  not 
realize  more  than  two  thousand  :  and,  although  it  were 
based  u[)on  an  allowance  of  four  thousand  dollars  annu- 
all}',  this  salar}'  would  only  suffice  for  a  decent  mainten- 
ance, allowing  a  surplus  of  one-half  by  living  with  econ- 
omy. It  is  true  they  have  occasion  to  pass  from  one 
settlement  to  another ;  but  this  is  at  the  expense  of  the 
Indians  themselves,  who  furnish  them  mules,  and  pay 
their  travelUng  expenses  during  the  time  they  are 
dela3'ed  in  each  village. 

Having  closed  our  observations  on  the  cruel  treatment 
of  the  Indians  by  their  corregidors,  we  shall  describe  in- 
cidentally the  manner  in  which  tlie  latter  render  an  account 
of  their  administi-ation  at  the  expiation  of  its  term  ;  clearly 
showing  th;it  this  (nifortunate  race  are  left  without  appeal, 
and  even  without  a  hope  that  justice  should  ever  enter 
their  doors  to  plead  in  their  ])ehalf. 

The  office  of  corregidor  is  sometimes  in  the  gift  of  the 
Council  of  the  Indies,  and  sometimes  in  that  of   the 


30 


viceroy's :  but  it  is  the  exclusive  perogative  of  the  vice- 
roy's to  nominate  notaries  when  the  term  of  adminis- 
tration has  expired,  and  no  successor  to  the  office  has 
been  elected  in  Spain  ;  and  even  in  this  event  the  notary 
named  by  the  council  must  present  his  despatches  to  the 
vicero}',  in  order  to  obtain  his  passport.  As  soon  as  the 
appointment  of  a  notary  comes  to  the  ears  of  the  corre- 
gidor,  he  avails  himself  of  his  friends  in  Lima  to  pay 
court  to  him  in  liis  name,  and  to  give  him  the  necessary 
instructions,  that,  when  he  should  leave  the  city,  he 
should  come,  alread}'  gained  over,  and  without  any  motive 
for  delay.  It  should  be  observed  that,  in  addition  to  the 
iisual  pay  allowed  the  notary',  at  the  expense  of  the  cor- 
regidor  for  a  term  of  three  months,  although  only  forty 
days  are  required  to  audit  the  accounts,  the  amount  to  be 
paid  is  in  proportion  to  the  revenue  of  the  district,  or  more 
properly  to  that  of  the  amnesty  or  bribe  which  the  cor- 
regidor  gives  the  notary  to  acquit  him  of  all  charges  which 
may  be  alleged  against  him.  This  is  so  notorious  and  so 
s^'stematized  in  practice  that  everybody  knows  what  it 
costs  to  audit  the  accounts  of  this  or  that  district.  At  the 
same  time,  if  the  corregidor  has  offended  his  Spanish 
neighbors,  or  if  any  suspicion  is  entertained  that  they 
might  bring  in  evidence  against  him,  the  price  is  raised 
for  extra  costs  ;  but  the  settlement  is  alwa^'s  brought 
about,  and  the  corregidor  acquitted,  although  at  a  some- 
what increased  expense. 

As  soon  as  the  notary  arrives  in  the  principal  town  of 
his  district,  he  gives  public  notice  of  his  business,  goes 
through  the  usual  forms,  receiving  testimony  from  the 
friends  and  domestics  of  the  corregidor  that  he  has  ruled 
well,  that  he  has  injured  no  man,  that  he  has  treated  the 
Indians  kindly  ;  and  in  this  wa}'  he  collects  all  the  evidence 
which  may  redound  to  his  interest.  But,  lest  such  a  de- 
gree of  rectitude  and  benevolence  might  excite  surprise, 
three  or  four  persons  are  employed  to  present  charges 
against  him  of  a  trivial  nature,  which  are  magnified  by 
summoning  witnesses  to  testify  to  their  truth  ;  and  the 
accused,  being  brought  in  guilty,  is  fined  in  an  amount 
proportioned  to  the  nature  of  the  offence.     In  the  course 


31 


of  these  proceedings,  an  immense  mass  of  writs  and 
docnraents  is  collected :  and  the  time  prescribed  for 
auditing  the  accounts  graduall}^  slips  awaj',  when  they 
are  closed  and  presented  to  the  Audience  for  approba- 
tion, and  the  corregidor  is  as  legall}^  innocent  of  the 
charges  as  he  was  at  the  time  his  administration  com- 
menced, and  the  notary-  who  audited  the  accounts  is  a 
gainer  to  the  amount  of  what  the  settlement  has  been 
worth  to  him.  These  bargains  are  made  with  such 
ctirontery,  and  the  costs  of  settlement  of  accounts  are 
so  reduced  to  sj'stem,  that,  in  the  jurisdiction  of  Valdi- 
via,  a  district  remote  from  all  intercourse  with  those 
kingdoms,  the  newlj'-appointed  governors  audit  the 
accounts  of  their  predecessors ;  and,  as  the  gratuity 
bestowed  is  transmitted  from  one  to  another  in  succes- 
sion, the  governors  had  the  precaution  to  reserve  and 
conceal  under  the  bed  on  which  they  slept  four  bags  of 
monej',  containing  each  one  thousand  dollars, —  an 
amount  which  none  of  them  had  occasion  to  use.  The 
acting  governor,  on  the  arrival  of  a  successor,  invited 
him  ver\-  politely  to  occupy  his  own  apartment,  and,  on 
showing  him  to  his  room,  he  directed  his  attention  to  the 
bags  of  money ;  assuring  him  that  no  mistake  could 
occur  in  the  amount,  as  he  had  not  opened  the  bags : 
he  stated,  moreover,  that  his  predecessor  had  received 
his  discharge  for  that  sum,  and  that  he  would  transfer  it 
to  him  on  the  same  terms.  This  mode  was  practised 
until  after  we  had  left  that  kingdom,  as  was  said  by  the 
residents  there  ;  but  we  do  not  know  if  it  still  continues. 
"Whether  the  four  bags  remain  untouched  or  not,  after 
having  changed  owners  so  frequently,  is  of  little  impor- 
tance, provided  their  nominal  value  remains  unchanged. 
If,  at  the  time  the  judge  is  investigating  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  corregidors,  any  one  of  the  Indians  should 
allege  against  them  acts  of  tyranny  and  injustice  which 
they  have  committed,  the  judges  either  repel  the  charge, 
b\'  advising  them  not  to  involve  themselves  in  lawsuits, 
which  will  bring  on  them  disagreeable  results,  Ijccause 
the  corregidor  has  proved  the  reverse  of  all  they  have 
alleged  ;  or  the  corregidor,  by  giving  them  a  trilling  sura 


32 


of  money,  just  as  we  would  hush  a  troublesome  child, 
induces  them  to  withdraw  the  complaint :  but  if  the  In- 
dians refuse  to  receive  mone}',  and  insist  on  demanding 
justice,  the  judge  reproves  them  with  severity,  intimating 
to  them  that  he  has  shown  them  too  much  lenity  in  not 
having  inflicted  chastisement  upon  them  for  the  crimes 
alleged  against  them  by  the  corregidor ;  and  the  judges 
themselves,  assuming  the  office  of  mediators,  persuade 
them,  after  having  suffered  such  complicated  abuse,  that 
they  are  indebted  to  them  for  having  escaped  the  punish- 
ment they  deserve  :  so  that  it  is  the  same  to  the  Indians 
whether  the  corregidors  are  required  or  not  to  give  an 
account  of  their  administration. 

If  the  charges  are  adduced  by  the  Spaniards  relative 
to  other  matters,  tlie  judge  seeks  to  act  as  umpire,  and 
urges  them  to  settle  their  differences  amicabl}',  and  forget 
injuries  that  are  past ;  but,  if  this  method  fails,  the  suit 
goes  on,  and,  as  the  judge  is  biased  in  favor  of  the  cor- 
regidor, he  alwa3-s  labors  to  acquit  him  ;  and,  if  he  can- 
not do  it  by  himself,  he  appeals  to  the  Audience  ;  and, 
as  all  his  investigations  are  so  arranged  as  to  present  the 
best  evidence  in  his  favor,  a  little  exertion  on  his  part  is 
quite  sufficient  to  have  the  corregidor  acquitted,  and  his 
accounts  settled  agreeably  to  his  wishes.  In  proof  of 
this  we  have  only  to  examine  the  penalties  inflicted  for 
such  long-continued  excesses,  and  scarcely  one  will  be 
found  :  hence  the  conclusion  is  inevitable,  that  no  occa- 
sion for  imposing  them  exists,  according  to  the  accounts 
rendered  ;  while  there  is  so  much  to  warrant  them  in  the 
conduct  of  those  corregidors,  as  has  alread}-  been  shown 
and  as  will  further  appear  in  the  following  ci^apter. 


OO 


CHAPTER  II. 

The  same  Subject  continued. 

TViTnouT  supposing  facts  not  well  ascertained,  or  ex- 
aggerating statements  which  might  place  our  narrative 
beyond  tlie  bounds  of  truth,  we  may  assert,  without  fear 
of  contradiction,  that  all  the  wealth  produced  by  the  In- 
dies, and  even  their  very  colonial  existence,  is  due  to  the 
sweat  and  toil  of  the  natives.  It  is  by  them  the  gold  and 
silver  mines  are  wrought,  by  them  the  soil  is  tilled,  and 
liy  them  the  cattle  are  reared  and  tended;  in  a  word, 
there  is  no  servile  labor  in  which  they  are  not  tasked. 
And  such  is  the  recompense  awarded  to  them  b}^  the 
Spaniards,  that,  should  we  investigate  the  natm-e  of  it, 
it  would  be  found  to  be  nothing  more  than  a  protracted 
and  unrelenting  punishment,  less  restrained  by  j)ity  than 
that  inflicted  ui)on  a  galley  slave.  The  gold  and  silver 
acquired  b}'  their  hardships  and  labor  never  lodges  in 
their  hands ;  rarely  does  the  day  come  round  which 
allows  them  to  partake  of  the  fruits  the  earth  yields  l)y 
dint  of  their  etlbrts,  or  of  the  meat  of  the  animals  they 
rear  and  keep  ;  and  never  does  the  occasion  offer  when 
the}'  might  use  the  warm  clothing  or  couvenicMit  articles 
of  manufacture  introduced  from  Spain;  since  their  whole 
maintenance  consists  of  maize,  and  herbs  which  grow 
wild,  and  their  whole  scant}'  wardrobe  is  limited  to  the 
coarse  fal)rics  woven  b}-  their  wives,  and  wliich  are  not 
superior  to  such  as  they  wore  in  their  uncivilizi'd  condi- 
tion. Religion  itself,  as  we  shall  afterwards  show,  is 
made  a  plausible  jjretext  for  strii)piiig  them  of  the  poor 
remnant  of  their  Ibrtune,  which  has  escaped  the  rapa- 
ciousness  of  their  masters  and  magistrates;  in  return  for 
which  they  have;  imi)arted  to  them  no  spiritual  l)i'nelit, 
iuasmuch  as  it  is  not  the  spirit  of  religion  which  is  taught 

2» 


34 


them,  nor  is  anything  of  Christian  applicable  to  them 
but  the  empty  name.  In  short,  it  is  evident,  wherever 
we  turn,  that  the  whole  produce  of  the  Indies  is  the  fruit 
of  their  labor,  being  contributed  by  them :  while  it  is 
they  who  least  enjoy  it,  and  who  derive  the  least  consid- 
erable benefit  from  their  incessant  toil. 

In  order  to  form  a  correct  judgment  both  of  what  we 
have  already  stated  and  of  what  remains  to  be  said,  it  is 
necessary  to  observe,  that  the  mode  of  life  and  the  labors 
of  the  Indians  are  adapted  to  the  nature  of  the  districts  : 
for  in  those  where  there  are  mines  to  be  worked,  and  not 
plantations,  a  portion  of  the  Indians  perform  the  meta 
service  ;  and  in  those  which  embrace  both  plantations  and 
mines,  a  part  of  the  Indians  are  reserved  alternately  for 
each  species  of  labor.  The  meta  Indians  are  drawn  by 
lot  for  both  purposes  ;  the  one  to  bring  the  minerals  from 
the  veins,  and  the  other  to  plough  and  till  the  ground. 
The  districts  which  comprise  only  plantations  and  work- 
shops (by  which  are  meant  cotton  manufactories)  are 
those  in  which  all  the  meta  Indians  are  emploj'ed  ;  and 
there  are  some  districts  where  the  Indians  do  not  per- 
form the  service  of  the  meta,  because  the  plantations  are 
cultivated  by  negro  slaves. 

The  meta  service  prescribes  that  all  the  villages  are  to 
furnish  the  estates  withiu  their  precincts  a  certain  num- 
ber of  Indians,  to  be  employed  in  cultivating  them,  and 
that  another  company  be  destined  for  the  mines,  when 
their  owners  find,  on  examination,  that  they  can  be 
worked  more  conveniently  by  adopting  the  method  pre- 
scribed by  the  meta.  These  Indians  were  bound  to  per- 
form this  service  for  one  j^ear  only  ;  and  at  the  close  of  it 
are  allowed  to  return  to  their  villages,  where,  their  places 
being  filled  by  others,  thej^  are  to  remain  at  liberty  until 
their  turn  comes  again  in  course.  But  this  precedent,  so 
wisely  established  by  the  laws,  has  ceased  to  be  observed  : 
on  which  account  it  is  indifferent  to  the  Indian  whether 
he  labor  iu  the  meta  service,  for  the  benefit  of  the  miner, 
or  as  nominally  free  for  that  of  the  corregidor ;  for  in 
each  species  of  labor  the  bondage  is  the  same.  All  the 
districts  of  Quito,  and  those  which  extend  to  the  other 


35 


mountainoiis  provinces  of  Peru,  towards  the  south,  prac- 
tise the  meta  :  and  all  those  comprehended  in  the  Yalle3's, 
as  far  as  the  jurisdictions  of  Pisco  and  Nasca,  do  not 
adopt  it ;  because  no  miners  are  found  there,  and  all  or 
nearly  all  the  plantations  situated  in  the  valleys  are 
cultivated  b}'  negro  slaves  ;  but  those  which  rise  from  the 
valleys  are  tilled  exclusively  by  Indians  subject  to  the 
meta.  Having  premised  so  much,  we  will  relate  what 
occurs  in  Quito,  from  which  we  may  deduce  by  compar- 
ison what  takes  place  in  all  the  others  in  which  the  same 
system  obtains ;  and,  to  do  it  more  method icall}',  we 
shall  divide  the  estates  into  four  different  classes :  1 . 
The  plantations  for  growing  breadstuffs  ;  2.  The  grazing 
estates;  '6.  The  wool-growing  estates  ;  4.  The  manufact- 
ories. 

On  the  estates  of  the  first  class,  a  meta  Indian  earns 
from  fourteen  to  eighteen  dollars  a  3'ear,  according  to 
the  nature  of  his  emploj-ment ;  and,  besides  this,  the 
estate  allows  him  a  piece  of  ground  from  twenty  to  thirty 
j-ards  square,  to  make  a  garden  for  himself.  On  these 
conditions,  the  Indian  is  bound  to  labor  three  hundred 
days  in  the  j'ear,  completing  his  full  daily  task ;  and  is 
exempted  from  labor  the  remaining  sixty-five,  on  account 
of  Sundays,  holidays,  illness,  or  any  other  casualty  which 
may  prevent  him  from  working ;  the  overseers  of  the 
plantations  taking  care  to  mark,  every  week,  the  number 
of  daj-s  which  each  Indian  has  labored,  in  order  to  settle 
his  account  at  the  end  of  the  3'ear. 

The  tribute  of  eight  dollars,  paid  by  the  owner  of  the 
estate,  is  to  be  deducted  from  the  salary  of  the  Indian  ; 
and  estimating  this  at  eighteen  dollars,  which  is  the 
maximum,  there  are  ten  dollars  remaining.  From  this 
sum,  two  dollars  and  two  reals  are  to  be  deducted,  to  ])uy 
three  yards  of  baize,  at  six  reals  a  yard,  that  he  may 
make  a  shirt  for  himself,  as  decency  requires  ;  and  he 
will  have  remaining  seven  dollars  six  reals,  to  maintain 
himself  and  his  wife  and  children,  if  he  have  any,  l)esides 
clothing  them,  and  paying  such  contributions  as  the  curate 
may  levy  upon  him.  Nor  is  this  all :  for  the  piece  of 
ground  allowed  him  is  so  confined  that  it  becomes  im- 


36 


possMe  for  him  to  raise  all  the  corn  required  for  the 
scanty  support  of  his  family-,  and  he  is  obliged  to  receive 
of  the  owner  of  the  estate  half  a  bushel  of  corn  monthly, 
which  is  charged  to  him  at  six  reals  (which  is  double  the 
usual  price) ,  because  the  Indian  cannot  purchase  of  any 
one  else  ;  thus  twelve  times  six  reals  make  nine  dollars, 
which  is  one  dollar  and  six  reals  more  than  the  Indian 
can  earn.  So  that  the  wretched  serf,  after  toiling  three 
hundred  days  in  the  3'ear,  besides  cultivating  a  garden  of 
vegetables  in  the  remaining  sixt^'-five,  having  received 
only  a  coarse  baize  shirt  and  six  bushels  of  corn,  becomes 
indebted  to  his  master  one  dollar  and  six  reals,  on  ac- 
count of  the  labor  he  has  to  perform  the  following  3-ear. 
Were  it  no  more  than  this,  the  patient  Indian  would 
endure  it  all ;  but  his  sufferings  are  j-et  greater.  It  fre- 
quentl}'  happens  (as  we  have  witnessed)  that  an  animal 
dies  in  the  paramo,  or  heath  ;  the  master  has  it  brought 
to  the  farm,  and,  in  order  not  to  lose  its  value,  has  it  cut 
in  pieces,  and  distributes  it  to  the  Indians  at  so  much  a 
pound,  —  a  price  w^hich,  however  reasonable,  an  Indian 
cannot  pa}' ;  and  hence  his  debt  is  augmented  by  being 
forced  to  receive  meat  which  is  unfit  to  be  eaten,  owing 
to  its  bad  condition,  and  which  he  is  consequently  obliged 
to  throw  to  the  dogs. 

If,  as  the  climax  of  misfortune,  the  unfortunate  mitaj'o 
should  lose  his  wife,  or  one  of  his  children,  his  cup  of 
anguish  is  full,  when  he  reflects  how  he  shall  pa}'  the  in- 
exorable fee  of  interment ;  and  he  is  driven  to  enter  into 
a  new  contract  with  the  owner  of  the  estate,  to  furnish 
him  the  money  extorted  by  the  church.  If  he  escapes 
the  anguish  of  losing  any  of  his  family,  the  curate  orders 
him  to  celebrate  a  church  festival  in  honor  of  the  Virgin, 
or  one  of  the  saints,  and  he  is  obliged  on  this  account 
to  contract  a  new  debt ;  so  that,  at  the  close  of  the  year, 
his  debts  exceed  his  earnings,  while  he  has  neither  han- 
dled money  nor  got  in  his  possession  an}'  articles  of  value 
whatever.  His  master  claims  the  right  of  his  person, 
obliges  him  to  continue  in  his  service  until  the  debt  is 
paid ;  and,  as  payment  can  never  be  made  by  the  poor 
Indian,  he  becomes  a  slave  for  life  ;  and,  in  defiance  of 


37 


all  natural  and  national  law,  children  are  required  to  pay, 
b}'  their  personal  service,  the  unavoidable  debts  of  their 
parents. 

There  are  some  Indians  who  pay  a  heavier  tribute 
than  others  ;  and,  in  this  respect,  those  who  belong  to  the 
encomiendas  are  least  burdened  :  but  this  does  in  no  way 
redound  to  the  advantage  of  the  Indians,  as  it  should, 
but  to  the  benefit  of  their  masters  ;  for  they  pay  them 
less  for  the  mcta  service,  on  the  ground  that  they  are 
parlially  exempted  from  paying  tribute,  in  direct  opposi- 
tion to  the  royal  grant,  in  which  this  privilege  is  conceded 
to  the  patrons,  with  a  view  of  lightening  the  burden  of 
the  impost  levied  upon  the  Indians. 

Another  species  of  cruelty  is  inflicted  upon  that  race, 
which  would  be  deemed  barbarous  if  practised  upon  the 
brute  creation.  AVhen  an  unfruitful  season  occurs,  and 
corn  is  valued  at  three  or  four  dollars,  all  produce  rises 
in  the  same  proportion,  but  the  mitayo  is  not  entitled  to 
higher  wages  :  and,  although  he  subsists  exclusively  upon 
maize,  the  landholders  will  not  furnish  it  to  him  at  twelve 
reals,  which  is  the  regular  price,  although  it  sometimes 
produces  more  ;  and  the  wages  of  the  Indians  not  being 
adequate  to  pay  for  it  at  so  high  a  price,  and  having  no 
means  of  purchasing  it  except  such  as  they  derive  from 
their  personal  labor,  they  are  deprived  of  sustenance, 
because  their  masters  sell  all  the  maize  in  the  villages,  to 
convert  it  into  mone}'  —  a  cruel  expedient,  which  leaves 
the  helpless  Indian,  who  labors  in  their  houses  and  for 
them,  al)andoned  without  mercy  to  perish  with  hunger. 
This  occurred  in  the  Province  of  Quito  in  the  years  1743 
and  174-1,  during  our  residence  there.  The  scarcity  of 
maize  was  unprecedented,  and  such  was  the  unfeeling 
barljarity  of  the  masters  towards  the  Indians,  that  they 
cut  otf  the  usual  supply  of  their  only  sustenance,  for  the 
purpose  of  selling  it  at  exorbitant  prices  :  from  hence 
resulted  a  fearful  mortality  of  Indians  on  all  the  estates, 
besides  that  which  itrevailed  in  all  the  villages,  many  of 
which  were  nearl}'  depopulated. 

The  produce  of  the  vegetable  gardens  cultivated  by 
the  Indians  is  limited  to  a  little  corn  and  a  few  potatoes, 


38 


and  is  so  inconsiderable  that  they  are  consumed  during 
the  process  of  ripening.  The  only  occasion  in  the  year 
when  they  are  allowed  to  taste  meat  is  when  some  animal 
dies,  and  is  taken  up  before  the  condors  and  vultures 
have  devoured  it.  We  may  conjecture  what  its  quality 
must  be  ;  since,  besides  the  circumstance  of  the  animal 
having  died  in  the  field,  it  has  usually  so  bad  an  odor 
as  to  render  it  intolerable  ;  and  in  this  case  the  arbitrary 
rule  of  the  master  is  carried  to  such  an  extreme  as  to 
force  it  upon  the  Indian,  under  the  penalty  of  chastise- 
ment if  he  refuse  to  receive  it. 

The  Indians  who  perform  the  meta  service  on  the 
grazing  estates,  which  are  those  of  the  second  class, 
usually  earn  somewhat  more  than  the  da}^  laborer ;  l)ut 
their  labor  is  also  greater.  On  these  estates,  an  Indian 
has  assigned  to  him  a  certain  number  of  cows,  that  he 
may  take  care  of  them  and  of  their  milk.  He  is  to 
make  the  number  of  cheeses  usually  required  for  each 
cow  ;  and  on  the  last  day  of  every  week  they  are  deliv- 
ered to  the  overseer,  who  receives  them  by  weight,  and 
with  such  rigid  scrupulousness  that  the  least  deficienc}'  in 
the  weight  required  is  charged  to  the  account  of  the  In- 
dian, —  a  manifestl}'  unjust  course  of  proceeding  ;  for,  if 
the  failure  of  milk  might  occasionally  be  attributed  to 
the  Indian,  it  proceeds  in  general  from  the  quantity  and 
quality  given  by  the  cows,  which  is  not  alwa^'s  uniform, 
or  some  neglect  might  occur,  allowing  the  calves  to  take 
more  than  their  usual  portion.  Exclusive  of  these 
causes,  which  are  independent  of  the  will  of  the  Indians, 
the  charges  against  them  augment  so  rapidly,  that,  at 
the  close  of  the  3'ear,  when  they  have  worked  out  the 
term  of  the  meta,  and  are  to  be  released,  they  find  them- 
selves in  greater  bondage  than  before  ;  for,  as  they  have 
not  the  means  of  paying  that  fictitious  debt,  they  are 
compelled  to  bind  themselves  to  protracted  service  on 
the  estate,  which,  in  these  circumstances,  is  their  last 
resource. 

It  may  be  argued  that  the  debts  incurred  b}'  the  Ind- 
ians, whether  in  one  species  of  labor  or  another,  are 
merely  imaginary,  as  the  whole  race  is  insolvent,  and 


30 


that  no  injury  results  from  them.  In  solitary  instances 
it  miti'ht  be  so  ;  but  in  general  it  is  otherwise.  It  is  prej- 
udicial to  the  Indian  to  be  indebted  to  the  estate,  because 
the  owner  of  it  deducts,  on  account  of  the  debt,  all  that 
he  has  been  able  to  earn  b}-  dint  of  care  and  toil  during 
his  hours  of  repose  ;  and,  if  pa3'ment  be  made  grudgingly, 
the  task  is  augmented,  even  when  no  hope  is  entertained 
that  the  debt  will  be  paid  in  full.  It  is  true  that,  in  the 
hopeless  condition  of  the  Indian,  to  be  reduced  to  sla- 
ver}-  on  the  estates  where  they  live  is  no  additional  burden  ; 
for,  in  case  they  should  be  restored  to  their  villages,  they 
would  be  no  less  oppressed  by  the  imposts  of  the  cor- 
regidors.  "Were  it  otherwise,  it  would  be  gross  injustice 
not  to  alternate  their  labor  annually  ;  for  while  living  in 
their  villages  they  would  enjoj"  their  freedom,  and  would 
earn  enough  to  maintain  themselves  comfortabl3-,  whether 
by  working  as  da}-  laborers,  or  busying  themselves  in  the 
same  tasks  in  which  they  would  be  employed  if  they 
remained  in  them :  and  there  is  no  doubt  that  tlieir 
gains  would  be  sufficient  to  bear,  without  too  much  hard- 
ship, both  the  impost  of  the  tribute  and  the  meta  ;  but 
the}'  ai'e  deprived  of  this  consolation  by  the  insatiable 
avarice  of  those  who  rule  over  them. 

On  the  wool-growing  estates,  which  compose  those  of 
the  fluid  order,  every  Indian  earns  eighteen  dollars, 
when  he  has  the  care  of  an  entire  flock  ;  and  if  he  has  two 
he  earns  something  more,  —  but  not  twice  the  amount,  as 
would  seem  equitable.  Those  Indians  who  are  apparently 
the  most  fortunate,  are  not  less  subject  to  oppression  than 
othei's  ;  fur  they  are  made  responsible  for  the  flock,  and 
are  accounted  debtors  for  all  the  sheep  that  are  missing 
at  the  end  of  the  month,  unless  they  deliver  them  dead. 
At  first  sight  tliis  condition  appears  reasonable  ;  but,  in 
realitv,  local  as  well  as  other  causes,  not  depending  on 
the  Indian,  render  it  impossible  for  him  to  put  it  in  prac- 
tice. The  tracts  where  the  Indians  pasture  and  live  with 
their  flocks  are  situated  in  the  heart  of  the  wilderness, 
among  tiie  ravines  formed  by  the  mountains,  which  are 
wholly  uninhabited,  and  at  a  distance  of  three  or  four 
leagues  from  the  principal  farm-house.    On  these  estates, 


40 


wheat  fields  are  also  cultivated,  and  for  this  purpose  the 
same  Indians  are  employed  who  have  the  care  of  the 
sheep  ;  and,  being  under  the  necessity  of  tilling  the  soil 
for  the  benefit  of  their  masters,  the  sheep  are  intrusted 
to  the  care  of  a  woman,  who  is  sometimes  nursing,  or  to 
that  of  children  five  or  six  years  old  ;  for,  as  soon  as  the 
latter  are  capable  of  doing  service,  they  are  obliged  to 
labor  for  the  benefit  of  the  master.  Hence  it  sometimes 
happens  that  a  sheep  sickens  or  goes  astray  over  the 
wild,  uncultivated  extent  of  those  paramos  ;  and,  should 
he  be  so  unlucky  as  not  to  be  able  to  find  it,  as  soon  as 
it  is  missing,  it  is  charged  to  his  account  at  the  close  of 
the  month,  when  the  flock  is  counted. 

Even  if  the  owner  should  not  require  him  to  intrust  the 
sheep  to  his  wife's  keeping,  it  would  be  unjust  to  make 
the  loss  fall  upon  him  ;  for  it  is  only  one  who  tends  the 
sheep  ;  and  such  is  the  nature  of  that  broken  surface 
that  it  would  be  impossible  to  trace  the  sheep  by  the 
e3-e,  as  they  wander  over  ravines,  morasses,  and  de- 
chvities  of  the  mountains,  nor  is  it  in  the  power  of  the 
keeper  to  rescue  them  from  tlie  talons  of  the  condors. 
What  passed  under  my  own  observation  frequently  takes 
place  :  for,  on  one  occasion,  while  descending  a  precipice, 
I  saw  a  condor  pounce  upon  a  flock,  and  earryotfa  lamb 
in  his  claws,  and,  rising  to  a  certain  height,  let  go  his 
hold,  as  if  to  kill  it  b}'  the  fall ;  and,  seizing  it  a  second 
time,  he  carried  off  his  pre^',  while  neither  the  cries  of  the 
shepherd  boy,  nor  the  barking  of  the  dogs,  could  avail 
any  thing  to  prevent  it. 

In  order  to  point  out  more  clearly  the  injustice  prac- 
tised towards  the  Indians,  we  may  be  permitted  to  draw 
a  comparison  between  the  Indian  and  the  Spanish  shep- 
herd, and  the  contrast  between  them  will  serve  to  cor- 
rol)orate  v>'hat  we  have  asserted. 

In  Spain,  a  flock  of  sheep  usually  contains  about  five 
hundred  head  ;  and  to  tend  it  the  owner  maintains  a  shep- 
herd and  a  swain,  who  are  both  males.  In  Andalusia, 
the  shepherd  earns  twenty-four  dollars  a  year,  and  the 
swain  sixteen  dollars,  amounting  in  all  to  forty  dollars. 
Besides  their  wages,  the  owner  is  bound  to  furnish  thera 


41 


bread,  oil,  vinegar,  and  salt,  besides  what  the  dogs  eat ; 
he  is  also  to  furnish  them  an  ass  to  drive  the  herd,  and, 
when  the  number  is  augmented  to  three  flocks,  an  over- 
seer is  appointed  to  keep  watch  over  them  all,  who  earns 
higher  wages  than  the  shepherd,  and  the  master  provides 
him  with  a  horse.  In  Peru,  a  flock  usually  consists  of 
eight  hundred  or  a  thousand  head,  and  is  tended  by  a 
single  individual,  who  bears  in  that  country  the  name  of 
sheep-keeper.  This  man  earns  only  eighteen  dollars  a 
j'ear ;  from  which  sum,  after  deducting  the  tribute,  only 
ten  dollars  remain  ;  and  with  these  he  is  to  provide  for 
himself,  for  liis  wife  and  children,  and  for  the  dogs  which 
are  to  aid  him  in  taking  cai'e  of  the  flock,  because  his 
master  allows  him  nothing  more.  The  low  rate  of  wages 
should  not  be  attributed  to  the  cheapness  of  provisions  ; 
for,  on  the  contrary,  every  thing  there  is  incomparablj' 
dearer  than  it  is  in  Spain.  The  same  is  true  of  other 
branches  of  industry  ;  and  it  is  difficult  to  imagine  how 
those  people  subsist,  until  we  become  acquainted  with 
their  frugal  mode  of  living.  The  hut  the^^  inhabit  has 
scared}'  space  sufficient  for  them  to  stretch  themselves, 
although  it  contains  not  an  article  of  furniture  ;  their  bed 
is  a  raw  sheepskin,  one  being  provided  for  each  mem- 
ber of  the  famil}-,  and  they  never  use  a  pillow  ;  their 
food  consists  of  two  or  three  spoonfuls  of  oatmeal,  which 
the}'  force  into  their  mouths,  and,  after  stirring  it  with  the 
tongue,  they  swallow  it  and  instantly  drink  a  large  quan- 
tity of  water  or  c/u"c7ia,  which  is  a  kind  of  malt  liquor, 
whenever  the}-  can  get  it ;  occasionally  they  substitute 
for  oatmeal  a  handful  of  maize,  boiled  in  water  until 
the  gi-ain  swells  and  l)ursts.  This  constitutes  the  whole 
of  an  Indian's  sustenance. 

It  is  in  the  fourth  and  last  department  of  industry, 
namely,  the  '■'■  obrages"  or  factories,  —  that  it  appears 
as  if  all  the  scourges  that  afflict  humanity  were  concen- 
trated.-All  these  sufferings  are  accumulated  upon  the 
head  of  the  wretched  Indian  ;  and  bitter  lamentations 
are  heard  on  every  side  under  tlu!  inflictions  of  the  rod 
of  oppression.  Several  of  his  Majesty's  ministers  have 
been  fully  aware  of  this,  and  have  endeavored  to  take 


42 


veiy  decisive  measures  in  respect  to  it ;  but  it  must  be 
confessed  that  the  regulations  of  government  in  regard 
to  the  colonies  are  seldom  enforced,  as  will  appear  in  the 
sequel. 

The  workshops  are  a  combination  of  the  other  three 
classes  of  estates :  they  are  the  factories  where  the 
cloths,  baizes,  and  woollen  stuffs  known  in  Peru  by 
the  name  of  home  fabrics,  are  woven  by  the  hand-loom. 
In  former  .years,  the  woollen  manufactory  was  confined 
to  the  Province  of  Quito  :  but,  it  has  been  recently  intro- 
duced into  other  districts  ;  although  the  articles  manufact- 
ured in  the  provinces  south  of  Quito  are  nothing  but 
coarse  cloths,  of  very  ordinary  texture.  In  Cajamarca, 
there  are  looms  for  the  manufacture  of  cotton  goods. 

To  form  an  accurate  idea  of  these  factories,  the}'  might 
be  compared  to  a  galley,  always  in  motion,  being  con- 
stantly propelled  by  the  oars  ;  while  the  harbor  is  so  re- 
mote that  it  can  never  be  reached,  how  hard  soever  the 
seaman  toil  in  anticipation  of  rest.  The  management  of 
those  factories,  the  labors  performed  in  them  b}'  the  Ind- 
ians, to  whose  unhappy  lot  this  service  falls,  and  the 
merciless  punishment  inflicted  upon  those  miserable  ob- 
jects, surpass  every  thing  which  it  is  possible  for  us  to 
describe. 

The  labor  of  the  workhouses  commences  before  the 
day  dawns,  at  which  time  every  Indian  takes  his  place 
at  the  piece  which  is  in  process  of  weaving,  and  the 
tasks  of  the  day  are  distributed  as  may  be  expedient ; 
and,  when  this  process  is  concluded,  the  owner  of  the 
house  closes  the  door,  and  leaves  them  immured  as  in 
a  prison.  At  mid-da}'  the  door  is  opened  for  the  women 
to  go  in  with  their  scant  allowance  of  food,  which  is 
soon  partaken,  and  they  are  again  locked  up.  When 
the  darkness  of  night  no  longer  permits  them  to  labor, 
the  owner  goes  round  to  gather  up  the  stints  :  those  who 
have  not  been  able  to  finish,  in  spite  of  apologies  or 
reasonings,  are  punished  with  indescribable  cruelty ; 
and  those  unfeeling  men,  as  if  transformed  into  merci- 
less savages,  inflict  upon  the  wretched  Indians  lashes  by 
hundreds,  for  they  use  no  other  method  of  counting  ;  and, 


43 


to  complete  the  punishment,  thcj-  remand  them  again  to 
the  workshop  ;  and,  although  the  whole  bnilding  is  a 
prison-house,  a  portion  of  it  is  reserved  for  fetters,  and 
instruments  of  torture,  where  they  are  punished-  with 
greater  indignity  than  could  be  practised  towards  the 
most  delinquent  slaves. 

During  the  day,  every  apartment  is  visited  by  the 
owner,  his  assistant,  and  his  overseer,  and  the  Indian 
who  is  chargeable  with  any  neglect  is  chastised  at  the 
time  with  the  whip  ;  and  afterwards  goes  on  with  his 
work,  until  the  time  an-ives  to  put  away  his  work,  when 
the  punishment  is  frequently  repeated. 

This  process  is  carried  on  every  day,  in  respect  to  the 
meta  Indians  ;  and  the  punishment  inflicted  is  so  much 
the  more  cruel  as  it  does  b}'  no  means  exempt  them 
from  the  obligation  of  completing  the  task  ;  for  all  their 
delinquencies  are  noted  in  a  register,  to  be  charged  to 
their  account  at  the  close  of  the  year :  and  thus  the  debt 
incurred  is  augmenting  from  year  to  3'ear,  until,  finding 
it  impossible  to  make  up  their  arrears,  the  master  ac- 
quires a  right,  however  unfounded,  to  reduce  to  slavery 
not  only  the  meta  Indian,  but  all  his  sons.  The  treat- 
ment of  these  Indians  will  appear  to  be  gentle  in  com- 
parison with  that  experienced  by  those  who  are  sen- 
tenced by  the  corregidors  to  the  same  work-houses,  for 
having  failed  to  pay  the  tribute  at  the  time  it  was  de- 
manded, and  frequently  (as  we  have  said)  when  they 
were  not  under  any  obligation  to  pa}'  it.  These  Indians 
earn  a  real  a  day  :  one-half  is  kept  back  to  pay  the  cor- 
regidor,  and  the  remaining  half  is  applied  to  their  main- 
tenance, which  is  inade(|uate  for  a  man  who  labors 
incessantly  the  whole  day  ;  and,  in  proof  of  it,  imagine 
if  any  article  could  be  bought,  that  would  suflice  for  his 
nourishnient,  for  half  a  real,  when  it  is  not  enough  to 
supply  him  with  chicha,  —  a  beverage  to  which  the  Indians 
are  strongly  addicted,  and  which  lias  become  so  nuich  a 
part  of  their  nature  that  it  nourishes  and  strengthens 
them  as  much  as  what  they  eat.  Besides,  as  the  Indian 
is  unal)le  to  escape  from  that  bondage,  he  is  obliged  to 
take  what  his  master  will  give  him  for  that  half  real. 


44 


The  inhnman  owner  of  the  factory,  in  order  to  lose  noth- 
ing by  waste,  turns  to  account  for  their  use  the  maize  or 
barley  which  has  been  damaged  by  keeping,  or  the  cattle 
which  die  and  contaminate  the  atmosphere,  as  well  as  all 
the  worst  and  most  worthless  of  his  produce. 

As  a  result  of  this  course  of  treatment,  these  Indians 
fall  sick,  after  remaining  a  short  time  in  that  condition; 
and  their  constitutions  being  exhausted  partly  for  want 
of  nourishment,  partly  by  repeated  punishment,  as  well 
as  by  diseases  contracted  from  the  bad  quality  of  their 
food,  they  die  before  they  have  been  able  to  pay  the  trib- 
ute with  tlie  avails  of  their  labor.  The  Indian  loses  his 
life,  and  the  country  that  one  inhabitant,  whence  proceeds 
the  great  diminution  which  is  observed  to  be  taking  place 
in  that  kingdom.  Such  is  the  spectacle  exhibited  when 
they  are  taken  out  dead  that  it  would  excite  compassion 
in  the  most  unfeeling  heart.  Only  a  mere  skeleton  remains 
of  them  to  publish  the  cause  which  doomed  them  to  per- 
ish ;  and  the  greater  part  of  these  die  in  the  very  facto- 
ries, witli  their  tasks  in  their  hands  ;  for  although  the 
ynay  be  indisposed,  as  the  countenance  would  indicate, 
that  is  no  inducement  to  their  cruel  taskmaster  to  ex- 
empt them  from  labor  or  to  seek  their  remedy.  Ac- 
customed to  look  upon  them  with  utter  aversion,  they  do 
not  imagine  a  sick  Indian  to  be  a  worthy  inmate  of  a  hos- 
pital until  his  strength  is  so  far  exhausted  that  he  dies 
before  reaching  the  charitable  asylum,  and  those  are  for- 
tunate who  have  suflicient  power  of  resistance  left  to  go 
and  die  within  the  hospital.  To  be  condemned  to  the 
factories  occasions  to  the  Indian  greater  consternation 
than  all  other  punishments  that  malice  can  invent.  The 
married  Indian  women  and  aged  mothers  begin  to  bewail 
the  death  of  their  husbands  or  their  children  from  the 
moment  the}'  are  sentenced  to  this  punishment.  Children 
do  the  same  in  respect  to  their  parents,  nor  is  there  any 
method  the  latter  will  not  devise  to  rescue  their  children 
from  the  labor  of  the  workshop  ;  and  tlieir  sorrow  is  ex- 
treme when  all  expedients  fail  to  produce  the  desired 
effect.  The  anguish  which,  with  so  much  reason,  over- 
whelms them,  finds  vent,  in  view  of  the  place  of  punish- 


45 


mcnt,  as  they  raise  to  Heaven  their  cries  ;  since  all  on 
earth  combine  against  tliora,  and,  restrained  by  no  tri- 
bunal of  justice,  abandon  them  to  such  hopeless  raiserj-. 

Some  will  maintain  that  it  is  necessary  to  put  the  In- 
dians into  the  workshops,  if  they  do  not  pay  the  triliute, 
in  order  to  compensate  the  loss  ;  hence  it  is  that  the 
governors  or  other  individuals  are  allowed  to  do  it,  in 
order  to  collect  the  debt.  But  neither  the  laws  of  the 
Indians,  nor  the  express  commands  of  our  sovereigns, 
permit  the  Indians  to  be  treated  with  such  cruelty  as  is 
practised  there ;  but,  on  the  contrary-,  they  inculcate 
compassion  and  kindness  towards  these  inoffensive  sub- 
jects. We  ma^-  readily  suppose  that  the  statements  which 
gained  their  assent  to  the  low  rate  of  wages  given  were 
either  false  or  inaccurate,  inasmuch  as  the  king  and  his 
council  were  led  to  believe  that  the  pay  allowed  the  Ind- 
ians in  the  workshop  was  sufficient  for  their  mainten- 
ance, besides  leaving  a  surplus  for  the  pa3'ment  of  the 
tribute.  Under  the  S3'stem  now  adopted,  neither  object 
is  obtained. 

The  expedient  of  condemning  the  Indians  to  these  fear- 
ful places  has  become  so  general  as  to  render  them  the 
gi'ave  of  their  freedom  for  a  great  variety  of  delinquen- 
cies. A  trifling  debt,  even  to  a  private  individual,  is  suf- 
ficient ground  for  any  one  invested  with  authority  to 
inflict  this  punishment  upon  them.  AYe  frequently  meet 
Indians  on  the  highway,  tied  b}'  the  hair  to  the  tail  of  a 
horse,  on  which  a  mestizo  is  mounted,  who  is  conveying 
them  to  the  workshops,  and  perhaps  for  the  trivial  offence 
of  having  evaded  the  tyranny  of  the  overseer  from  fear 
of  punishment.  Let  what  will  be  said  of  the  cruelty  prac- 
tised by  the  patrons  towards  the  Indians  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  conquest,  we  cannot  persuade  our- 
selves, after  what  we  have  witnessed,  that  it  could  ever 
have  been  carried  to  the  extent  it  now  is  by  the  Span- 
iards and  mestizoes.  And,  if  at  that  period  tliey  were  re- 
garded as  slaves,  the}'  had  but  one  master  in  the  patron  ; 
but  now  they  are  subject  to  the  governors,  the  owners  of 
workshops,  the  proprietors  of  estates,  the  overseers  of 
the  cattle,  and,  what  is  most  scandalous  of  all,  the  very 


46 


ministers  of  the  altar:  all  these,  including  the  priest- 
hood, treat  the  defenceless  Indians  with  more  cruelty 
than  they  exercise  towards  African  slaves. 

Not  onl}^  the  meta  Indians  are  employed  in  the  cultiva- 
tion of  the  estates,  but  also  their  wives  and  children,  when 
they  are  capable  of  doing  any  thing,  who  are  treated  with 
as  much  severit}'  as  if  they  were  all  subject  to  the  meta 
service.  They  keep  the  women  and  children  employed 
in  planting  corn,  potatoes,  and  other  seeds,  in  weeding 
the  beds  of  vegetables,  in  gathering  the  harvest  and  shell- 
ing the  corn,  and  in  the  various  occupations  pertaining 
to  the  farm  ;  so  that  it  is  no  small  convenience  to  masters 
to  have,  with  an  Indian  so  badly  paid,  so  many  to  labor 
obsequiously  in  his  service. 

It  is  a  prevailing  opinion  in  all  those  countries,  and 
especially  in  the  mountainous  districts,  that  if  the  Ind- 
ians were  not  subject  to  the  meta,  they  would  become 
idle,  and  the  plantations  would  cease  to  be  cultivated ; 
but  this  is  a  mistaken  notion,  as  we  shall  presently  show. 
But  what  ma}'  we  suppose  will  not  be  urged  by  those 
whose  interest  it  is  to  defend  the  meta?  They  say  that 
the  Indies  could  not  be  held  by  us  without  it ;  that,  were 
it  not  for  this  restraint,  the  Indians  would  revolt ;  and 
that  the  fact  that  they  have  not  done  so  is  chiefly  owing 
to  the  oppressed  condition  in  which  the}'  are  held  by  the 
Spaniards.  These  and  other  like  calumnies  are  invented 
b}'  malice,  as  an  apology  for  cruelty  ;  and,  even  admitting 
what  they  assert  to  be  true,  can  there  exist  any  law  or 
reason  why  they  should  be  deprived  of  what  is  necessary 
for  their  support,  if  they  are  forced  to  labor  with  unparal- 
leled rigor?  We  cannot  imagine  a  S3'stem  of  discipline 
so  barbarous  as  to  authorize  such  a  degree  of  oppression. 
The  truth  being  concealed  under  the  disguise  of  erroneous 
statements  (some  of  which  we  have  detected) ,  measures 
are  adopted  on  the  supposition  that  these  statements  ai'e 
true,  and  that  they  have  in  view  the  common  welfare  and 
preservation  of  those  kingdoms. 

In  order  to  expose  more  clearly  the  malignant  charac- 
ter of  the  communications  which  come  to  us  from  tlience, 
exaggerating  the  indolence  and  dilatorj^  habits  of  the  Ind- 


47 


ians,  let  iis  direct  our  attention  to  tliose  plantations 
which  do  not  have  the  benefit  of  the  meta,  or  in  which 
the  number  of  meta  Indians  is  comparatively  small.  Do 
they  on  this  account  fail  to  be  cultivated  ?  By  no  means  ; 
for,  at  a  small  additional  expense,  they  have  as  many  Ind- 
ians as  are  required,  and  with  no  other  difference  than 
that  of  hiring  them  on  wages  ;  and  although  tlie  rate 
does  not  exceed  one  real  a  daj",  —  a  sum  scarcely  ade- 
quate to  their  daily  wants,  — they  do  not  despise  it,  be- 
cause they  avail  themselves  of  the  assistance  of  their 
■wives  ;  and,  when  they  have  no  work  in  hand  for  their 
own  account  and  benefit,  they  are  prompt  to  labor  for  a 
real  a  da}'.  This  makes  it  evident  that  they  would  labor 
even  were  the}-  not  compelled  to  it  by  the  cruel  expedient 
of  the  meta.  But  the  fact  is  that  the  Indian,  being  em- 
plo3"ed  on  the  plantations  at  a  real  a  day,  even  at  this  re- 
duced rate  of  wages,  the  three  huxidred  da^'s  of  the  year 
would  require  thirtj'-seven  dollars  and  a  half,  and  with 
this  sum  the  owner  of  the  plantation  would  have  but  one 
person  to  work  for  him  ;  while  under  the  meta  s^'stem, 
which  allows  only  one-half  this  sum,  estimating  the  wages 
at  eighteen  dollars  a  3"ear,  they  have,  besides  the  re- 
duction of  wages,  which  is  so  considerable,  the  advan- 
tage of  securing  the  services  of  a  whole  familj-. 

What  we  have  just  remarked  is  not  at  variance  with 
the  statement  made  in  the  first  volume  of  the  history  of 
our  tour,  respecting  the  nature,  peculiarities,  and  cus- 
toms of  the  Indians  ;  for  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  they 
are  phlegmatic,  and  that  it  requires  exertion  to  make 
them  labor ;  but  this  proceeds  in  a  great  measure  from 
the  fact  that  all  that  tribe  are  so  irritated  and  aggrieved 
by  the  treatment  they  receive  from  the  Spaniards  that  it 
is  no  wonder  if  whatever  they  do  should  be  done  rcluc- 
tantl}'.  Let  us  suppose  a  system  to  be  established  in 
Spain,  by  which  the  rich  should  oblige  the  poor  to  labor 
for  their  l)enefit  without  an}'  equivalent,  —  would  they  be 
disposed  to  do  so?  Let  iis  reflect,  then,  how  much  less 
inclined  to  lal>or  those  unlbrtunate  Indians  would  be,  who 
are  rendered  mart3-rs  by  incessant  punishment,  such  as 
would  not  be  endured  bj-  any  but  a  simple  race  of  men. 


48 


or  by  those  who  wear  their  chains  as  a  matter  of  neces- 
sity, and  as  the  penalty  which  their  crimes  have  merited. 

It  cannot  be  denied  that  the  Indians  of  the  present  day 
discover  very  little  inclination  to  labor,  for  they  are  nat- 
urally sluggish  and  dilatory  ;  but  it  is  likewise  true  that, 
when  their  own  interest  is  at  stake,  natural  indolence 
presents  no  obstacle  to  exertion.  The  system  of  econ- 
omy and  government  adopted  in  those  countries  is  based 
upon  so  bad  a  footing,  that,  whether  the  Indian  labor  or 
not,  the  result  is  the  same  as  regards  his  own  benefit ; 
hence  it  is  not  strange  that  his  love  of  ease  should  make 
him  lean  to  the  side  of  indolence,  rather  than  to  that  of 
activity.  Nor  is  this  a  weakness  exclusively  Indian  :  it 
is  inherent  in  all  men.  Look  at  the  most  civilized  na- 
tions on  the  globe,  and  none  will  be  found  among  them 
all  who  are  disposed  to  exert  their  skill  and  strength  with- 
out the  incentive  of  gain,  and  their  activity  is  in  propor- 
tion to  the  benefit  which  is  to  I'esult  from  it.  But  it  is 
the  same  to  the  Indian  whether  he  earn  money  at  the 
cost  of  sweat  and  toil,  or  not,  for  the  gain  is  so  transient 
in  passing  through  his  hands  that  he  never  knows  what 
it  is  to  enjoy  it :  the  more  he  labors  and  strives,  the  more 
rapidlj'  it  passes  from  his  possession  to  that  of  the  cor- 
regidors,  curates,  and  owners  of  the  plantations.  In  view 
of  this,  who  will  tax  the  Indian  with  sloth,  and  not  rather 
the  Spaniard  with  impiety,  avarice,  and  oppression? 

It  might  seem  to  be  carrying  the  defence  of  the  Indians 
too  far  to  exculpate  them  entirely,  and  to  attribute  to 
the  Spaniards  the  cause  of  their  want  ofindustrj' ;  but  the 
examples  furnished  by  antiquityjustify  such  a  conclusion, 
and  testimonies  of  modern  date  corroborate  it  with  every 
possible  degree  of  conviction.  If  we  turn  our  e^-es  to  the 
period  prior  to  their  conversion,  we  shall  be  astonished 
at  the  grandeur  of  their  public  works,  which  deserve  our 
admiration  to  such  a  degree  that  we  are  at  a  loss  to  com- 
prehend how  such  wonders  could  have  been  accomplished. 
Let  us  throw  out  of  the  account  those  which  are  described 
in  histor}^,  lest  their  very  magnificence  should  lead  to  a 
suspicion  of  falsehood  or  exaggeration,  and  take  as  our 
model  what  even  now  the  eye  can  trace  in  the  ruins  of 


49 


those  Tvorks  which  still  remain  ;  and  we  shall  find  ma- 
terials sufficient  not  onl^-  to  disprove  the  injurious  opinion 
in  which  the}-  are  held,  but  to  furnish  evidence  of  extraor- 
dinarj'  activity  and  exertion.  Is  not  this  apparent  in  the 
patient  industry'  b}'  which  they  have  constructed  a  multi- 
tude of  aqueducts  ?  They  have  brought  under  cultivation 
a  piece  of  ground  which  was  useless  without  the  benefit 
of  irrigation  :  by  opening  a  w^ater-course  from  a  remote 
source,  and  continuing  it  along  the  declivities  of  the 
towering  Andes,  to  escape  the  fearful  ravines  which  im- 
peded its  course  in  a  right  line,  they  caused  the  water  to 
run  a  circuit  of  more  than  thirty  leagues,  as  the  nature 
of  the  soil  required,  until  they  had  attained  their  original 
purpose  of  cultivating  that  piece  of  ground  and  rendering 
it  fruitful.  These  works,  which  are  truly  grand,  re- 
mained from  that  period  in  such  perfection  as  to  be  ser- 
viceable to  the  Spaniards  in  a  later  age  ;  nor  can  we  omit 
what  it  shames  us  to  sa}^  that  the  Spaniards  themselves 
of  that  countr}'  have  suffered  man}^  of  them  to  go  into 
decay,  by  their  lamentable  neglect ;  and,  much  as  they 
feel  the  want  of  them  now,  they  are  unable  to  repair  them, 
nor  is  there  a  single  undertaking  of  the  kind  which  has 
been  attempted  since  the  conquest. 

The  bridges,  the  causeways,  and  the  roads  of  all  Peru 
were  constructed  by  Gentile  Indians,  with  astonishing 
perseverance  ;  of  which,  however,  the  greater  part  have 
been  ruined  by  the  neglect  of  the  new  colonists.  AVhere 
but  in  Peru,  without  excepting  even  the  most  celebrated 
kingdoms,  are  to  be  seen  roads  more  than  four  hundred 
leagues  long,  of  a  solid  foundation,  of  uniform  breadth, 
and  their  sides  protected  throughout  by  walls  of  suflicient 
breadth  and  thickness  ?  Vestiges  remain  to  announce  the 
immensity  of  this  work  ;  and  its  decay  will  always  bear 
witness  to  the  neglect  of  the  Spaniards  who  settled  in 
the  empire  of  the  Incas.  Arc  not  the  Tambos,  or 
spacious  inns,  which  still  exist  through  the  whole  extent 
of  the  Province  of  C^uito,  as  well  as  in  all  the  mountain- 
ous countr}',  infallible  indications  that  the  Indians  did 
not  live  so  abandoned  to  indolence  that  they  could  not 

3 


50 


shake  it  off  for  the  accomplishment  of  any  object  which 
might  minister  to  their  convenience?  The  palaces,  the 
temples,  and  the  other  works  mentioned  in  the  first  part 
of  the  history  of  our  travels,  do  not  permit  us  the  injustice 
of  imputing  to  that  people  the  love  of  ease,  when  they 
all  bear  evidence  to  the  contrary.  Let  us  now  examine 
their  manner  of  life  at  the  present  time,  and  we  shall  find 
that  they  are  not  indisposed  to  labor. 

All  the  free  Indians  cultivate  the  lands  belonging  to 
them  with  so  much  care  that  they  leave  no  portion  of 
them  fallow.  It  is  true  that  their  arable  lands  are  circum- 
scribed ;  but  it  is  because  they  are  not  allowed  to  possess 
more,  and  not  for  want  of  care  and  toil  to  render  them 
productive.  The  caciques,  who  have  a  larger  portion 
assigned  them,  lay  out  extensive  planting-grounds,  rear 
cattle  according  to  their  means  and  opportunities,  and 
husband  all  they  can,  without  being  compelled  by  force, 
and  without  using  compulsion  towards  those  w'ho  labor 
for  them. 

When  the  Indians  who  are  not  employed  in  the  work- 
houses have  any  leisure  time,  and  have  finished  the 
heavy  task  assigned  them  by  their  overseers,  the}''  labor 
at  home  on  their  own  account.  All  the  Indian  women 
do  the  same,  when  opportunit}^  offers.  This  is  not  con- 
sistent with  the  charge  alleged  against  them,  that  they 
are  idle  ;  for  any  other  people  whatever  would  detest  la- 
bor, could  they  once  know  that  the  avails  of  it  were  to 
be  applied,  not  to  their  own  benefit,  but  to  the  benefit  of 
others. 

The  facts  adduced  are  sufficient  to  show  that  the  Span- 
iards of  those  counti'ies  have  exaggerated  the  indolence 
of  the  Indians,  in  order  to  render  the  use  of  the  meta  in- 
dispensable, applying  it  to  their  own  emolument, — a 
measure  which  tends  directl}'  to  the  injury  of  the  Indians, 
and  to  the  exhaustion  of  the  royal  treasury ;  because  a 
vast  number  perish  under  a  system  beyond  measure  rig- 
orous, as  well  as  from  want  of  sustenance,  and  the  total 
neglect  of  the  aged  and  infirm.  In  proportion  as  the 
number  of  the  Indians  decreases,  the  amount  of  tribute 


51 


falls  short,  and  the  towns  become  depopulated.  These 
results  are  so  palpable  that  they  are  felt  and  acknowl- 
edged even  l\y  those  who  are  blinded  by  prejudice. 

Notwithstanding  what  we  have  said  of  the  punishment 
inflicted  upon  the  Indians  in  the  workhouses,  it  is  not 
sufficient  to  give  an  exact  idea  of  the  sj^stem  as  it  is 
practised  in  them  ;  and  hence  we  are  obliged  to  present 
some  further  particulars. 

As  there  are  in  the  workhouses  three  taskmasters, 
who  have  the  constant  supervision  of  the  Indian  weavers, 
so  there  are  three  emploj-ed  on  the  plantations,  which 
are  the  overseer,  his  assistant,  and  second ;  but,  as  the 
latter  is  alwa3-s  an  Indian,  he  is  not  accustomed  to  inflict 
blows  on  the  rest.  He  is  permitted,  however,  to  carry  a 
whip,  like  the  rest,  to  make  his  authority  respected. 
Each  one  holds  his  own  scourge,  without  letting  it  fall  from 
his  hand  the  whole  dav  long.  This  instrument  of  torture 
resembles  a  rope's  end,  about  a  yard  long,  and  a  little 
less  than  a  finger  in  thickness,  and  is  made  of  cow's  hide 
twisted  like  cord.  In  case  the  Indian  has  been  guilt}^  of 
any  wrong  or  neglect,  he  is  required  to  lie  flat  on  his 
face,  when  his  thin  drawers,  which  make  up  his  whole 
dress,  are  taken  off,  and  he  is  scourged  with  the  rod  ;  be- 
ing himself  obliged  to  count  the  lashes  that  are  inflicted 
upon  him,  until  the  number  prescribed  in  the  sentence 
has  been  completed.  He  then  gets  up,  and  is  required 
to  kneel  in  presence  of  the  man  with  the  whip,  and,  kiss- 
ing his  hand,  to  say  to  him,  "  May  God  bless  you  !  "  the 
trembling  lips  of  the  wretched  Indian  thus  giving  thanks 
in  the  name  of  God  for  the  stripes  inflicted  upon  liim,  al- 
most alwa^-s  unjustl}'.  Nor  are  vien  alone  subject  to 
punishment,  but  their  wives  and  children,  and  even  the 
caciques,  whose  rank  and  dignit}^  entitle  them  to  consid- 
eration. 

The  practice  of  scourging  the  Indians  so  unmercifully 
is  not  confined  to  the  workhouses,  plantations,  and  racta 
Indians  ;  l)ut  the  priests  cliastisc  their  parishioners,  and 
exact  any  service  from  them  whatever  by  dint  of  blows. 
For,  if  the  Indian  should  not  do  promptly  what  is  required 


52 


of  him,  it  is  deemed  sufficient  motive  to  make  him  lie 
down,  and  to  inflict  stripes  upon  him  with  a  whip,  or  with 
the  reins  of  the  horse,  until  his  strength  is  exhausted.  This 
enormity  reaches  such  a  pass  that  even  negro  slaves  and 
the  vilest  sort  of  persons  practise  it  continually  on  their 
own  responsibility,  with  no  other  reason  or  pretext  than 
their  own  caprice.  Nor  is  the  suffering  mcrcl,y  causal,  nor 
confined  to  this  or  that  individual ;  but  it  is  the  lot  of  the 
whole  family  of  Indians,  as  an  evidence  of  which  we  shall 
mention  what  took  place  during  our  residence  in  some 
villages,  and  even  in  our  own  house. 

In  the  city  of  Cuenca,  we  took  a  house  in  company 
with  the  French  gentlemen  associated  with  us  ;  and  some 
of  the  servants  employed  by  the  latter  were  Europeans, 
others  mestizoes,  and  others  negro  slaves,  which  the 
French  company  had  brought  with  them  from  St.  Do- 
mingo. When  it  became  requisite  to  clean  the  3'ard  and 
outhouses, —  a  service  belonging  to  the  mestizoes  and  ne- 
groes,—  the  latter,  to  rid  themselves  of  it,  passed  to  the 
street,  and  compelled  the  Indians  who  were  travelling  by 
to  enter  the  houses,  and  then  obliged  them  to  perfoi'm  all 
the  labor.  We  reprimanded  the  former,  and  ordered  the 
slaves  to  be  punished  ;  but,  as  they  were  corrupted  by 
the  precedent  which  had  been  introduced  in  other  houses, 
they  waited  till  we  had  gone  out  of  doors,  in  order  to  ac- 
complish their  purpose.  HowcA^er,  the  fear  which  the 
servants  entertain  towards  their  masters  restrained  them 
from  treating  the  Indians  with  cruelty,  and  at  length  they 
gave  them  the  leavings  of  the  kitchen,  which  in  some  de- 
gree compensated  their  labor.  But  their  being  whipped 
by  negro  slaves,  or  made  to  run  bound  to  the  tail  of  a 
horse,  as  is  practised  by  mestizoes  and  Spaniards,  is  so 
common  an  occurrence  as  scarcely  to  attract  notice. 

The  punishments  already  described  are  those  which  are 
usually  inflicted  upon  the  Indians  ;  but  when  the  rage  of 
the  master  or  overseer  is  not  appeased,  they  scald  them 
likewise,  as  is  done  in  the  negro  colonies,  although  by  a 
different  method.  Their  mode  is  to  take  two  pieces  of 
the  spunk  of  maguey,  which  is  the  light  pith  of  the  stalk 


53 


of  the  agave  plant,  and,  after  having  been  set  on  fire, 
they  strike  them  together,  that  the  sparks  may  fall  on 
the  flesh  simultaneously  with  the  inflietion  of  the  rod. 

The  patient  Indian  submits  without  murmuring  to  im- 
prisonment, hunger,  stripes,  and  every  species  of  torture  ; 
but  an  alfront  is  to  him  intolerable.  The  greatest  degree 
of  ignominy  is  that  of  having  the  head  shaved  by  way  of 
chastisement ;  and,  as  the  disgrace  of  this  punishment  is 
more  permanent  than  that  of  bodil^^  suffering,  the  abashed 
Indian  seeks  in  Aain  for  consolation  under  this  misfor- 
tune ;  notwithstanding,  whenever  his  crime  is  one  of  an 
aggravated  nature,  and  the  wrath  of  the  master  is  im- 
placable, he  is  shorn  of  his  hair,  and  left  to  inconsolable 
grief  and  anguish.*  In  a  word,  the  most  insatiable 
spirit  of  revenge  has  never  been  able  to  invent  an}'  spe- 
cies of  punishment  which  the  Indian  does  not  receive  at 
the  hand  of  the  Spaniards. 

It  is  a  common  remark  of  the  most  sober  and  thought- 
ful men  of  those  countries,  that  if  the  Indians  suffer  for 
God's  sake  the  hardships  through  which  the}'  pass  dariug 
their  whole  lives,  they  would  be  worth}',  at  the  moment 
of  their  death,  to  have  their  names  inscribed  in  the  cal- 
endar. The  perpetual  hunger,  and  nakedness,  and  pov- 
ert}',  as  well  as  the  interminable  oppression  and  barbarous 
chastisements  which  they  suffer,  from  the  period  of  their 
birth  to  their  death,  are  penances  more  than  sufficient  to 
make  amends  in  this  life  for  all  the  sins  which  can  be  im- 
puted to  them. 

The  natives  have  become  so  accustomed  to  chastise- 
ment that  they  not  only  cease  to  fear  it,  but  even  regard 
an  occasional  truce  from  it  with  apprehension  and  alarm. 
The  Indian  boys  (choUtos)  who  wait  upon  the  curates  and 
other  individuals  are  w'ont  to  look  sad,  and  even  to  flee 
awa}',  after  a  long  interval  of  exemption  from  punish- 
ment ;  and,  if  questioned  as  to  the  cause  of  their  sadness 

*  This  punishment  was  inflicted  upon  an  Indian  man  and  wo- 
man wliilc,  I  was  at  Cliillo,  in  1857.  The  ownor  of  the  ostato  on 
which  till!  Indians  lived  jravo  the  order;  but  liis  conduct  was 
severely  reprobated. —  Tu. 


54 


or  fliglit,  they  reply,  in  their  simpheit}',  that  their  masters 
do  not  appear  to  love  them,  because  they  no  longer 
chastise  them.  The  source  of  this  error  is  not  to  be 
looked  for  in  their  simplicity,  nor  in  any  partialit}'  the 
mature  Indian  may  have  to  chastisement  in  itself;  but, 
having  been  accustomed  to  ill-treatment  ever  since  the 
conquest,  they  have  conceived  the  idea  that  the  Spaniards 
are  a  class  of  people  whose  very  caresses  and  fond- 
nesses are  stripes  and  blows  ;  and  this  is  either  no  mis- 
take, or,  if  it  be  one,  it  is  pardonable  in  the  Indians  ; 
for  their  masters,  after  having  chastised  them  with  merci- 
less cruelt}',  alwaj's  say  to  them  that  they  punish  them 
becaijse  they  love  them,  and  the  simple  Indian  has 
learned  to  give  to  this  barbarous  expression  its  literal 
import.  Parents  teach  it  to  their  children,  and  the  un- 
suspecting innocence  of  the  latter  is  easily  made  to 
believe  that  it  is  doing  them  a  kindness  to  make  them 
weep  and  bathe  themselves  in  tears  of  anguish.  Hence 
it  is  that  they  are  accustomed  to  give  thanks  to  their 
tormentor,  kneeling  before  him  and  kissing  his  hand, 
although  it  be  that  of  a  negro,  with  expressions  of 
gratitude  for  an  act  of  cruelty,  as  if  it  had  been  the 
dictate  of  mercj'^. 

Such  is  the  terror  occasioned  by  the  very  name  of 
Spaniard,  or  Viracocha  (a  term  comprehending  all  who 
are  not  Indian) ,  that  when  mothers  woukl  frighten  their 
little  ones,  or  make  them  hush  when  they  cr}^,  or  hide 
themselves  in  the  corner  of  their  clay  huts,  by  merely 
saying  to  them  that  the  Viracocha  is  going  to  catch 
them,  they  are  struck  with  horror,  and  run  without 
knowing  where  to  find  a  place  of  refuge.  We  have  our- 
selves experienced  this  continually  ;  and,  although  it  be- 
came necessary  on  some  occasions  to  speak  to  them  to 
make  inquiries  concerning  the  road,  it  was  impossible  to 
do  so,  as  we  could  not  get  them  to  stop  and  hear  the 
question  put  to  them.  So  timid  are  they,  that,  when  one 
of  them  begins  to  run,  all  the  rest  who  can  see  him, 
however  remote  they  may  be,  do  the  same  ;  and,  should 
they  be  accidentally  impeded  by  any  ravine,  they  prefer 


55 


to  throw  themselves  down,  at  the  hazard  of  their  lives, 
rather  than  expose  themselves  to  the  more  imminent 
danger  of  the  approach  of  the  Viracocha.  All  this  has 
no  other  source  or  pretext  than  the  uuheard-of  cruelt}' 
with  which  all,  Avithout  exception,  are  treated.  But  we 
have  entered  into  more  minute  details  than  we  intended, 
as  it  is  a  subject  of  which  no  important  particular  should 
be  left  unnoticed. 


56 


CHAPTER  III. 

The  same  Subject  continued. —  Sequestration  of  Lands  belong- 
ing to  the  Indians. 

So  various  are  the  expedients  invented  by  malice  to 
nmltiply  the  means  used  to  oppress  the  Indians,  that  we 
find  materials  on  every  hand  for  entering  into  further 
details  of  their  extreme  sufferings  ;  and,  although  the 
particulars  brought  to  view  in  the  preceding  chapters 
might  suffice  to  show  the  tyranny  practised  towards  that 
unfortunate  people,  we  cannot  omit  what  we  have  to  re- 
late in  this,  as  the  subject  is  one  of  great  importance. 
The  advantages  resulting  to  all  classes,  at  the  expense  of 
the  care  and  personal  labor  of  the  Indians,  have  already 
been  mentioned :  we  are  now  to  speak  of  the  power 
which  the  spirit  of  avarice  exercises  in  stripping  them 
not  only  of  the  means  necessary  for  their  own  support, 
but  even  of  acquiring  a  sufficient  sum  to  pay  the  tribute 
money,  —  the  only  impost  to  which  they  are  subject, 
agreeably  to  the  considerate  policy  of  our  sovereigns  ; 
and  which  is  so  just  and  reasonable,  that,  if  nothing 
else  were  exacted,  this  burden  would  not  fall  heavily 
upon  them.  Such  is  the  opinion  of  the  Indians  them- 
selves, as  we  have  heard  them  say  on  various  occasions  ; 
and  not  of  their  caciques  onl}',  but  of  others  who  were 
present  with  us  in  the  uninhabited  deserts  where  we 
abode  ;  on  which  account,  in  addition  to  the  circum- 
stance of  having  taken  up  our  quarters  sometimes  in 
their  very  houses  or  huts,  at  others  on  the  different 
plantations,  and  at  other  times  in  their  villages,  we  had 
sufficient  opportunit}'  to  become  witnesses  of  their  com- 
plaints, and  to  hear  them  recount  the  acts  of  violence 
and  injustice  with  which  they  are  harassed. 

The  king's  envoys,  bearing  a  commission  from  him  to 


57 


those  parts,  have  given  these  subjects  only  a  superficial 
examination :  some  because  they  wanted  opportunity^ ; 
and  others  because  their  attention  was  directed  exclu- 
sively to  their  own  interest,  as  they  were  intent  only  on 
discovering  new  methods  of  amassing  a  fortime.  These 
circumstances  did  not  obtain  in  us,  inasmuch  as  our 
ambition  did  not  reach  beyond  acquiring  a  treasure  of 
useful  information,  nor  had  we  any  other  end  in  view 
than  to  investigate  the  truth,  to  render  our  report  as  ac- 
curate as  possible,  so  that  we  may  say  with  confidence 
that  we  have  secured  our  object  to  our  entire  satisfoc- 
tion.  Our  small  and  unimposing  suite  did  not  inspire 
such  terror  among  the  Indians  that  the  sight  of  it  should 
make  them  shun  the  familiar  intercourse  we  desired  and 
sought ;  but  the  affability  of  our  manner,  indicating  a 
disposition  to  regard  them  as  beings  of  our  own  species, 
set  them  at  liberty-,  and  inspired  courage  in  their  timid, 
pusillanimous  hearts  to  communicate  their  sentiments  to 
us  freely.  The  kindness  with  whicli  we  treated  them  (as 
did  also  the  French  gentlemen,  our  companions)  embol- 
dened thorn  to  make  known  to  us  their  complaints.  The 
conscientious  strictness  with  which  we  paid  the  hire  of 
those  who  waited  upon  us  gave  them  occasion  to  speak 
of  the  different  manner  in  which  their  services  were 
usually  recompensed  ;  in  a  word,  the  constant  routine  of 
passing  from  one  province  to  another  furnished  us  occa- 
sions more  than  sufficient  to  confirm  whatever  thej''  had 
disclosed  to  us,  and  even  to  observe  many  things  of 
which  we  had  been  ignorant. 

One  circumstance  which,  more  than  any  other,  awakens 
our  s^'mpathy  for  that  unfortunate  people,  is  to  see  them 
entirely  stripped  of  their  lands  ;  for  although,  at  the 
period  of  the  conquest  and  of  the  laying  out  of  town- 
ships, certain  portions  had  been  reserved  for  the  purpose 
of  being  allotted  to  the  caciques  and  Indians  belonging 
to  the  township,  avarice  has  gradually  curtailed  them  to 
such  a  degree  that  the  tracts  wliich  remain  to  them  are 
circumscribed  within  narrow  limits,  and  the  greater  part 
has  been  wrested  from  fliem  altogether.  Some  Indians 
have  been  despoiled  of  their  lands  by  violence  ;  others, 


K 


8 


because  the  owners  of  the  neighboring  estates  have  com- 
pelled them  to  sell  at  any  price  they  may  choose  to  give  ; 
and  others,  because  they  have  been  induced  to  surrender 
them  under  false  pretences. 

The  first  cacique  whose  acquaintance  we  made  in  the 
Province  of  Quito  was  of  the  town  of  Mulalo,  in  the 
district  of  La  Tacunga.  His  name  was  Sanipatin,  a  very 
worthy  individual,  and  so  much  attached  to  the  king  that 
he  could  not  disguise  his  sentiments  of  loyalt}*.  On  one 
of  the  many  occasions  we  had  to  pass  through  his 
village,  always  taking  lodgings  at  his  house,  the  subject 
of  the  "  repartimientos,"  or  division  of  lands,  was  intro- 
duced, and,  among  other  grounds  of  complaint,  he  in- 
formed us  that  having  two  lots  of  ground  which  belonged 
to  him,  and  in  which  he  sowed  his  wheat  fields,  a  neigh- 
boring Spaniard,  owner  of  an  estate,  wishing  to  enlarge 
his  own  by  usurping  what  belonged  to  another,  entered 
his  name  before  the  Audience  of  Quito  as  purchaser  of 
one  of  those  lots  ;  and,  although  the  cacique  immediately 
presented  himself  in  support  of  his  claim,  he  could  not 
substantiate  it,  but  was  afterwards  stripped  of  his  plan- 
tation, in  spite  of  entreaties,  remonstrances,  representa- 
tions, and  urgent  appeals  to  his  patron  to  undertake  his 
defence.  It  is  in  this  way  that  the  lands  of  the  Indians 
are  alienated  every  daj^,  in  case  the  claim  should  be  per- 
sisted in  with  resolution.  The  illegality  proceeds  from 
the  fact  that,  as  the  Indians  have  no  other  title  to  them 
than  the  right  of  possession  (for,  even  were  documents 
in  existence,  they  are  incapable  of  pointing  out  tlie  oflflce 
or  archives  where  they  are  deposited) ,  they  are  claimed 
as  unoccupied  lands,  and  sold  as  such  ;  injustice  shelter- 
ing itself  iinder  this  false  pretext.  In  this  way,  the 
greater  part  of  the  estates  owned  b}'  the  Spaniards  indi- 
vidually, or  in  a  corporate  capacity,  have  been  gradually 
augmenting  ;  while  the  cultivated  grounds  which  belonged 
to  the  Indians  have  proportionally  diminished,  and  the 
number  of  inhabitants  has  decreased  in  the  same  pro- 
portion. 

On  the  estate  of  Guachala,  we  were  eye-witnesses  of 
another  of  those  instances  of  usurpation  to  which  the 


59 


Indians   of   that    country    are    alwa3's    exposed,      "We 
happened  to  arrive  on  the  plantation  at  the  time  the  pro- 
prietor was  there  ;  and,  not  long  after  we  came  into  the 
house,  he  sent  for  an  Indian  who  possessed  lands  in  his 
vicinit}'.  and,  inventing  a  ridiculous  stor}^  relative  to  the 
motive  of  our  arrival,  induced  him  to  abandon  his  lands 
in  his  favor  for  a  very  trifling  consideration  ;  and  as  he 
entered  at  once  into  possession,  having  concluded  the 
bargain  with  the  Indian,  he  himself  gave  us  an  account 
of  the  transaction.     It  appears  that  the  Spaniard  had 
been  pressing  the  Indian  for  a  long  time  to  part  with  his 
lands,  but  he  would  not  consent ;  and  not  being  in  favor 
with  the  Audience,  so  as  to  get  them  adjudged  to  him  as 
unoccupied  lands,  he  was  eagerl}^  pursuing  other  measures 
to  secure  his  object,  when  his  malicious  heart  suggested 
to  him  that  he  would  intimate  to  the  Indian  that  we,  in 
company  with  the  French  gentlemen,  had  arrived  with 
orders  from  the  king  to  reconnoitre  all  the  lands  which 
the  Indians  had  usurped  from  the  Spaniards,  to  wrest 
them  from  their  hands,  and  to  restore  them  to  their  law- 
ful owners.     He  then  informed  him  that  the  lands  which 
he  claimed  did  not  belong  to  him  ;  for  there  could  be  no 
doubt  the}'  were  usurped,  situated  as  they  were  in  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  his  estate.     lie   advised   him  to 
give  them  up  of  his  own  accord,  and  he  would  bestow  on 
him  some  trifling  charit}'  in  consideration  of  their  value  ; 
but  if  he  refused  to  listen  to  his  advice,  as  we  were 
there  on  his  estate,  and  as  this  was  the  express  object  of 
our  tour,  he  would  present  a  complaint  against  liim,  by 
means  of  wliich  he  would  not  only  be  deprived  of  his 
lands  by  a  legal  process,  but  would  be  punished  as  a 
usurper  of  another  man's  property.     The  Indian,  whose 
siraplicit}'  (whicli  is  natural  to  the  whole  race)  could  not 
penetrate  the  depraved  design  of  tlie  man  who  deceived 
him,  supposing  that  artfully  contrived  falsehood  to  be 
true,  did  not  liesitate  to  abandon  them,  and  leave  them 
free  from  encumbrance  ;   and  in   order  to  make   it  im- 
possible tliat  they  should  revert  to  him,  should  he  dis- 
cover the  fraud,  the  Spaniard  purchased  the  seeds  which 
had  already  been  sown. 


60 


Others  avail  themselves  of  measures  still  more  iniqui- 
tous than  the  preceding :  instigating  the  overseers  of 
their  estates  to  persecute  them ;  stirring  them  up  to 
anger,  in  order  to  find  an  occasion  for  oppressing  them  ; 
and  inducing  them  by  these  means  (driven  as  they  are 
to  desperation  by  the  proximity  of  the  Spaniards)  to 
sell  their  lands  for  any  thing  they  are  wilUng  to  give 
them,  and  to  retire  to  some  more  remote  district,  where 
they  may  enjoy  repose. 

The  owners  of  estates  secure  to  themselves  two  im- 
portant ends  in  despoiling  the  Indians  of  their  lands : 
the  first  is,  that  they  enlarge  thereby  their  own  estates, 
as  we  have  just  seen ;  and  the  second,  that  those  Ind- 
ians who  have  been  thus  disabled  from  working  on 
their  own  account  may  be  compelled  to  perform  a  volun- 
tary meta  service.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  scarcely 
known  to  the  governor  and  curates  that  the  Indian  has 
received  the  proceeds  of  a  forced  and  profitless  sale, 
than  they  devise  means  —  the  former  by  fomenting 
quarrels,  and  the  latter  by  celebrating  saints'  days  — 
to  get  that  mone^-  into  their  own  hands  ;  the  poor  Indian 
beitig  stripped  of  his  lands,  as  well  as  of  the  paltry  price 
he  had  received  for  them.  The  persecuted  wretch,  find- 
ing himself  destitute  of  means  to  support  his  family  and 
pay  the  tribute  money  when  it  becomes  due,  to  escape 
famishing  in  a  factory,  is  compelled  to  sell  himself  on 
an  estate,  that  his  master  may  assume  the  debt ;  hence 
has  resulted  the  unpeopling  of  the  whole  country,  inas- 
much as  poverty,  anguish,  and  unremitting  toil  waste 
away  the  health  of  Avhole  families,  until  they  die  worn 
out  with  fatigue  and  hunger. 

In  the  same  way  as  the  Indians  are  stripped  of  their 
lands  when  they  are  weak  and  defenceless,  they  are  also 
deprived  of  whatever  pertains  to  them  in  the  form  of  an 
inheritance  ;  an  evidence  of  which  may  be  found  in  what 
is  actuall}^  taking  place  in  Quito.  Among  the  nunneries 
erected  in  that  city,  there  is  one  of  St.  Clair,  a  royal 
foundation,  which  was  instituted  in  behalf  of  the  daugh- 
ters of  the  caciques,  that  the}'  might  take  the  veil  in  it ; 
for,  although  noble  by  birth,  the}'  were  refused  admittance 


61 


into  the  other  corporations  until  their  eomphiiuts  came  to 
the  knowledge  of  his  Majest}',  when  he  decreed  that  this 
should  be  built  for  their  benefit.  Few  Indian  women 
were  inclined  to  take  the  veil ;  and,  to  augment  the  num- 
ber of  the  nuns,  it  was  proposed  to  receive  those  who 
belonged  to  Spanish  families ;  but,  as  the  number  of 
the  latter  gradually  augmented,  thej'  took  the  control  of 
the  convent,  and  refused  to  receive,  in  the  character  of 
nuns,  any  more  inmates  of  Indian  extraction  ;  and  it  is 
only  in  case  of  great  importunity  that  they  condescend 
to  receive  them  as  laics,  that  is,  as  maid-servants,  with 
the  privilege  of  wearing  the  habit  of  the  order.  Several 
caciques  (and  among  them  one  who  would  not  consent 
that  his  daughter  should  take  the  habit  of  a  laic,  instead 
of  the  black  veil,  and  who  met  with  opposition  from  the 
other  nuns)  presented  their  complaints  to  the  Audience, 
entreating  the  protector  to  defend  their  suit ;  but  they 
failed  to  obtain  redress,  not  being  able  to  find  either  in 
the  courts  or  in  the  protector  the  justice  and  protection 
they  desired.  In  this  way  they  lost  the  privilege  of 
ha^ing  their  daughters  admitted  as  nuns  in  the  only 
convent  that  had  been  constructed  for  their  benefit. 
The  result  is  the  same  in  everything  relative  to  their 
privileges  and  immunities,  for  the  disadvantage  is 
always  on  their  side  ;  this  infringement  of  their  rights 
depending  on  the  want  of  patronage  on  the  part  of 
the  protector. 

In  proof  of  our  assertion  that  it  Ls  against  the  Indian 
that  the  persecution  is  directed,  and  upon  him  that  the 
weight  of  injustice  falls  most  heavilj',  although  we  regard 
the  statements  already  made  as  quite  sufficient  to  con- 
vince ever}'  one  of  the  facts  in  question,  we  think  it 
proper  to  add  what  took  place  in  respect  to  the  Indians 
under  our  own  observation. 

In  1741,  when  Vice- Admiral  Anson  laid  waste  Pa^'ta, 
with  a  view  to  defend  the  port  of  Atacames  and  to  pro- 
tect the  road  just  opened  to  Esmeraldas,  felons  and  cul- 
prits were  released  from  prison,  and  sent  thither  from 
Quito;  and,  l)eing  divided  into  several  companies,  some 
were  destined  for  Guayaquil,  and  others  for  Atacames 


62 


aixT  Esmeraldfls.*  In  order  to  transport  these  troops 
and  carry  the  necessary  supphes,  the  mules  were  seized, 
with  their  drivers,  for  this  purpose  ;  and,  as  the  end  pro- 
posed was  the  service  of  the  king  and  the  common  cause 
of  the  country,  it  was  determined  that  no  compensation 
should  be  made  to  the  owners.  This  measure  would  not 
have  been  ill  judged,  if,  as  it  comprised  the  Indians,  it 
had  been  made  to  extend  equally  to  all  the  inhabitants 
of  Quito  and  other  wealthy  towns,  where  large  droA'es 
are  pastured  on  the  estates  to  carry  the  produce  to 
market :  but,  although  it  might  have  been  so  intended, 
it  was  not  executed  in  that  equitable  manner ;  for  not 
only  the  clerg}' ,  but  those  of  the  laity  who  had  a  greater 
interest  than  other  classes  in  the  defence  and  safety  of 
their  country  and  wealth,  resisted  the  order,  and  excused 
themselves,  —  some  alleging  their  immunities  as  ecclesi- 
astics, and  others  the  dignity  of  their  rank,  the  whole 
burden  falling  ultimately  upon  the  Indian,  to  aggravate 
his  misery.  These  poor  men,  whose  whole  stock  con- 
sists of  four  or  six  mules  distributed  to  them  b}'  the  cor- 
regidor,  and  whose  service  furnishes  them  a  support,  as 
well  as  the  means  of  paying  the  tribute,  were  by  these 
measures  deprived  of  this  trifling  source  of  profit.  They 
were  compelled  to  perform  the  journey;  and,  owing  to 
the  roughnesses  of  the  road,  the  mules  Ijecame  exhausted 
and  incapable  of  travelling.     To  this  result  the  change  of 

*  It  is  still  customary  to  employ  the  mules  of  the  Indians  at 
a  reduced  price  iu  the  service  of  the  government.  When  Mr. 
Pickett,  late  commii^siouer  to  Quito,  arrived  at  Babahoyo,  in 
1838,  he  applied  to  the  governor  for  pack-mules  to  facilitate  his 
journey  to  Quito.  The  same  evening,  he  observed  that  the 
number  he  had  asked  for  were  placed  in  an  enclosure  near  his 
lodgings;  but,  having  noticed  the  muleteers  standing  at  the 
gate,  ho  vront  out  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  it.  He  was  told  that 
they  had  sokl  their  vegetables  in  the  port,  and  were  to  take  in 
exchange  a  quantity  of  salt,  —  an  article  which  some  in  the  inte- 
rior never  taste,  on  account  of  its  scarcity.  The  commissioner, 
moved  with  pity,  informed  the  governor  that  he  should  not 
accept  the  mules  on  such  conditions,  but  should  restore  them  to 
their  owners.  The  result  was  that  they  were  immediately  laid 
hold  of  for  the  benefit  of  a  less  scrupulous  traveller.  Even 
unsuccessful  efibrts  to  do  justice  are  worth  recording. — Tr. 


63 


climate  contributed  not  a  little,  for  those  animals,  being 
accustomed  to  tlie  cold  paramos,  or  heaths,  of  the  Prov- 
ince of  Quito,  had  to  undergo  the  heat  and  continual 
moisture  of  the  forests  which  lay  on  their  route.  So 
great  was  the  destruction  of  mules  on  that  occasion,  that 
not  a  twentieth  part  of  those  who  set  out  on  their  jour- 
ney reached  their  destination  ;  and  those  which  returned 
from  the  coast  perished  in  passing  through  the  forests  of 
Esmeraldas,  some  before  and  others  after  they  had 
reached  the  paramo :  so  that  the  loss  to  the  owners  was 
total,  and  without  any  indemnit}'  for  their  hire,  or  for 
the  expense  of  the  journe}'.  It  is  easy  to  imagine  in 
what  conditiou  these  wretched  men  were  left ;  for,  as  they 
have  no  other  occupation  than  that  of  mule-drivers,  and 
possess  no  other  resources  than  the  hire  of  their  mules, 
they  were  deprived  even  of  the  hope  either  of  recovering 
their  loss,  of  supporting  their  families,  or  of  paj'ing  their 
annual  contribution. 

The  existence  of  these  evils  being  admitted,  it  remains 
to  be  seen  whether  any  remedy  can  be  devised  ;  and, 
as  it  is  undcnial)le  that  they  originate  in  the  xuifaithful- 
ness  of  the  Indian  protectors,  we  shall  consider  the  two 
causes  from  which,  in  our  opinion,  this  want  of  fidelity 
proceeds.  The  first  is,  the  fixed  determination  of  all 
who  go  to  America,  holding  pubhc  stations,  to  amass  a 
fortune,  witliout  scruple  as  to  the  means  used  ;  for  the 
Indian  advocates  are  not  in  general  less  eager  than  others 
in  their  desires  to  accumulate  wealth.  The  second  cause 
is,  that  these  functionaries  are  not  ordinarily  acquainted 
with  the  language  of  those  tribes  in  whose  behalf  they 
are  employed,  —  an  acquisition  quite  as  necessary  to  them 
as  it  is  to  the  parish  priests  ;  nor  will  a  superficial  knowl- 
edge l)e  suflieient,  for,  as  the  language  of  the  Indians 
abounds  in  figures  and  allegory',  in  order  to  the  right 
understanding  of  these  a  thorough  knowledge  of  their 
idiom  is  indispensable.  Such  being  the  case,  only 
one  resource  occurs  to  us,  which  will  excite  surprise, 
merely  because  it  has  never  been  reduced  to  practice ; 
and  this  is,  tliat  the  vacancies  of  the  fiscal  advocates, 
together  with  the  titles,  authority,  and  privileges  annexed 


64 


to  them,  should  he  filled  by  the  eldest  sons  of  the  ca- 
ciques. This  idea,  which  at  first  view  may  appear  mon- 
strous, as  it  has  never  before  been  suggested,  and  as 
it  is  apparently  liable  to  serious  objections,  will,  when 
viewed  more  nearl}",  be  stripped  of  its  imaginary  teiTors ; 
for,  after  mature  reflection,  it  will  be  found  to  have  so 
much  weight  as  not  onl}-  to  remove  ever}'  objection,  but 
to  recommend  itself  as  the  onl}'  effectual  means  of  secur- 
ing the  due  accomplishment  of  the  laws  so  wisely  enacted 
by  our  sovereigns  in  favor  of  the  Indians.  By  this  means 
only  would  they  be  protected  against  the  unrestrained 
warfare  now  carried  on  against  them  by  their  corregidors, 
as  well  as  from  the  lawless  impositions  of  the  parish 
priests,  and  the  inhuman  outrages  committed  upon  them 
by  landholders,  mestizoes,  and  other  petty  t^-rants.  We 
shall  be  met  at  once  with  the  first  objection  and  the  most 
powerful  one  which  the  avarice  of  their  oppressors  has 
to  advance  against  so  admirable  a  provision  ;  for,  as  it 
in  no  wise  tends  to  their  emolument,  they  would  be  eager 
to  assail  it  with  atrocious  falsehoods,  in  order  to  perpet- 
uate their  tyranny. 

The  first  measure  employed  to  displace  these  protect- 
ors would  be,  to  allege  that  the  Indians,  availing  them- 
selves of  the  authority  and  protection  conceded  to  them, 
would  cast  off"  fear,  and  rise  in  rebellion,  constituting  to 
themselves  a  king  of  their  own  nation.  Tliis  is  the 
phantom  invented  to  intimidate,  in  order  that  no  innova- 
tions should  be  made  in  the  government  which  they  have 
so  iniquitously  instituted ;  but  these  imaginary  fears 
would  have  no  influence  in  the  minds  of  the  secretaries 
in  Spain,  if  they  had  an  accurate  idea  of  the  peculiari- 
ties, the  nature,  and  genius  of  the  Indians,  who  are  by 
no  means  predisposed  to  riots  or  insurrections.  Nothing 
proves  this  assertion  more  clearly  than  a  view  of  the 
imposts  heaped  upon  them  b}^  caprice,  to  which  they 
submit  without  having  their  minds  irritated,  or  affected 
by  any  other  emotion  than  that  of  grief,  which  is  inher- 
ent in  beings  of  a  mild  and  childlike  disposition.  True 
it  is  that,  when  once  got  into  the  fray,  —  as  the  phrase  is 
there,  —  they   are   not   intimidated  by  chastisement   or 


G5 


death  ;  all  means  of  reconciliation  are  unavailing,  nntil 
thc}-  are  exterminated  :  but  this  arises  from  the  fact  that, 
when  the}'  are  driven  to  these  desperate  resolutions,  they 
count  it  a  greater  happiness  to  die  in  the  onset  than  to 
return  again  to  a  state  of  bondage.  Hence  it  is  that 
those  who  once  rebel,  and  abandon  their  villages,  cannot 
be  reconquered  or  held  again  in  subordination  ;  the  truth 
of  which  we  experience  in  the  Araucanian  Indians  of 
Chih,  the  inhabitants  of  Quixos  and  Macas,  frontiers  of 
the  Province  of  Quito,  and,  lastly,  in  the  Chunchos,  —  all 
of  whom  have  thrown  off  their  allegiance  to  their  sover- 


^o*- 


eign. 


In  order  to  ascertain  the  firm  basis  on  which  this  opin- 
ion is  founded,  we  have  only  to  look  back  to  the  last 
rebellion  of  the  Indians  of  the  modern  missions,  bordering 
on  the  Provinces  of  Ja^ija  and  Tarma.  Although  it  had 
been  in  contemplation  for  forty  3'ears,  it  was  confined  at 
its  commencement  to  two  thousand  Indians,  and  the  grand 
motive  which  induced  them  to  throw  off  their  allegiance 
was  to  rid  themselves  of  the  vexations  and  persecutions  of 
the  parish  priests  ;  for,  not  having  been  as  yet  subject  to 
tribute,  the  argument  employed  b}^  their  chief  to  entice 
them  was,  that  he  wished  only  to  rescue  them  from  the 
oppression  of  the  Spaniards.  Had  they  been  a  people 
inclined  to  revolt,  not  an  Indian  would  have  remained  in 
all  the  settlements  of  Peru  ;  but  they  would  all  have  gone 
over  to  tlie  rebel  party,  so  much  have  they  to  undergo, 
and  such  is  the  cruelty  and  contempt  with  which  the}'  are 
treated.  Should  an}'  doubt  still  remain  on  this  point,  let 
the  masses  of  that  nation  be  compared  with  those  in 
Europe,  where  there  is  scarcely  a  demagogue  who  raises 
a  cry  in  any  province  but  he  is  instantly  joined  by  a  greater 
part  of  the  population  ;  and  we  shall  see  how  diverse  from 
this  is  the  spirit  of  the  Indians,  in  spite  of  the  oppres- 
sion they  are  made  to  suffer.  But  to  form  a  more  accu- 
rate idea  of  what  we  have  just  advanced,  we  shall  relate 
an  occurrence  which  took  place  during  our  residence  in 
(^uito,  and  which  will  be  sulllcient  to  confirm  the  truth  of 
it. 

In  the  jurisdiction  of  Ibarra,   in  the   town   of  Mira, 

6 


(j6 


there  lived  a  parish  priest,  with  whom  we  had  some  de- 
gree of  friendly  intercourse.  lie  was  also  one  of  the 
many  in  whom  the  passion  of  avarice  predominates  with 
unbridled  excess ;  and,  although  recently  presented  to 
the  benefice,  he  sought  to  oppress  the  Indians  by 
attempting  to  strip  them  of  all  their  lands,  and  to  make 
them  over  to  himself.  His  aml)ition  appears  to  have 
had  no  bounds,  inasmuch  as  he  obliged  the  owners 
of  the  lands  to  cultivate  them,  by  converting  their  per- 
sonal labor  to  his  own  emolument.  The  Indians  became 
so  straitened  by  these  and  man}'  other  acts  of  extortion, 
and  the  cacique,  finding  that  the  tyranny  of  the  priest 
had  driven  the  people  to  desperation,  went  to  Quito  to 
present  a  complaint  to  the  bishop.  It  appeared  to  that 
prelate,  who  had  a  sense  of  justice,  that  a  severe  admo- 
nition would  suffice  to  put  a  stop  to  the  encroachments 
of  the  priest :  but  quite  the  contrary  took  place  ;  for, 
being  enraged  at  the  rebuke,  he  hurled  his  vengeance 
upon  the  cacique,  and  accused  him  of  a  project  of  re- 
bellion, with  a  view  to  proceed  with  other  Indians  to  the 
mountains,  and  thus  depopulate  the  village.  He  sent  up 
this  false  summary  to  the  Audience  ;  and,  hoping  to 
provoke  the  cacique  to  some  imprudent  act  which  would 
justify  the  measure,  he  laid  hold  of  his  eldest  son,  and 
made  him  a  servant,  sending  him  out  to  do  the  office  of 
stable-bo}^  The  cacique  was  exceedingly  wounded  by 
this  insult,  but  did  not  vent  his  anger  in  the  way  the 
curate  supposed  he  would ;  but,  anxious  to  avenge  his 
honor  b}'  a  legal  process,  he  proceeded  to  Quito,  pre- 
sented himself  before  the  Audience,  taking  with  him 
some  Indians  as  witnesses,  and  acquitted  himself  of 
the  charge  so  maliciously  preferred  against  him  by  the 
priest.  He  complained  before  the  tribunal  of  the  dread- 
ful outrages  committed  by  the  priest,  not  only  against 
him,  but  against  all  the  Indians  of  his  chiefdom,  and  of 
that  which  ho  had  just  been  guilty  of  in  degrading  his 
eldest  son  to  such  a  low  station.  The  Audience  referred 
these  just  complaints  to  the  bishop,  that  he  might  enter 
a  suit  against  the  priest.  The  bishop  summoned  him  to 
appear,  and  rebuked  him  with  still  greater  severity  ;  com- 


G7 


manding  him  to  give  satisfaction  to  the  offended  cacique, 
and  to  reform  his  conduct.  The  revengeful  priest  prom- 
ised so  to  do ;  and  the  bishop,  behe\ing  his  feigned 
show  of  repentance  to  be  sincere,  gave  him  a  license, 
after  some  days,  to  return  to  his  curac}'. 

The  priest  set  out  to  go  to  his  village,  and  had  scarcely 
arrived  when  he  sent  for  the  cacique  to  execute  upon 
him  his  premeditated  vengeance.  The  cacique  promptly 
appeared  before  him  ;  and  the  priest,  bursting  with  rage, 
ordered  him  to  lie  down  on  the  floor,  as  he  would  a  slave 
whom  he  was  going  to  punish,  — insulting,  by  such  vile 
treatment,  the  person,  the  dignit}',  and  the  advanced  age 
of  the  cacique, — telUng  him  afterwards  that  he  did  all 
that  to  let  him  know  the  consequences  of  having  pre- 
sented complaints  against  the  priesthood.  The  abashed 
cacique  removed  from  that  town  to  another  of  the  same 
department,  and  despatched  several  Indians  to  Quito  to 
lay  before  the  Audience  the  inefficacy  of  the  measures 
they  had  adopted.  About  this  time  we  arrived  at  Mira, 
and  the  Indians  of  the  town  communicated  to  us  all  that 
had  taken  place  :  but  nothing  wounded  the  cacique  more 
deeply  than  having  had  imputed  to  him,  falsely,  the  charge 
of  rebellion,  thereby  fastening  upon  him  the  infamous 
blot  of  treason  ;  and  he  inquired  with  great  discretion 
for  what  cause  he  was  to  offend  his  lord  the  king  by  an 
act  of  rebellion,  when  he  had  received  such  favors  from 
his  ro3-al  clemenc}',  and  when  it  was  the  curate  only  who 
did  the  Avrong ;  or  how  he  could  commit  a  base  act  to 
compx-oraise  his  honor  and  fidelity,  that  the  curate  might 
triumph  at  the  expense  of  his  reputation  and  good  con- 
duct. This  he  repeated  to  us  again  ;  and  uniformly  held 
the  same  language  to  his  townsmen,  as  we  have  heard 
them  frequently  sa}'.  In  view  of  the  last  complaint 
made  b}'  the  injured  cacique,  and  of  others  presented 
b}'-  the  Spaniards  and  mestizoes  of  the  town,  the 
Audience  named  a  judge  to  make  an  investigation  and 
substantiate  what  had  there  occurred,  the  bishop  having 
previously  named  a  sul)stitute  for  that  curacy.  The 
attorney  came  to  reside  at  the  farm-house  where  we  had 
taken    u^j  our  quarters,  and  the  proceedings  were  in- 


68 


stituted  with  great  formality,  inasmnch  as  the  whole 
vicinity  were  comprised  in  the  aggressions  of  the  curate  ; 
for,  had  the  Indians  alone  been  the  sufferers,  there  is  no 
doubt  but  injustice  would  have  triumphed.  We  returned 
to  Quito  ;  and,  as  we  enjoyed  the  confidence  and  esteem 
of  the  bishop,  he  begged  us,  when  we  visited  him,  to 
acquaint  us  with  the  truth.  We  did  so,  and  that  prelate 
was  deeply  affected  with  the  extreme  sufferings  of  the 
Indians  ;  assuring  us  that,  while  he  held  the  office,  that 
priest  should  return  neither  to  the  curacy  of  Mira  nor  to 
any  other,  notwithstanding  many  proofs  of  consideration 
which  the  bishop  had  shown  him  previous  to  that  un- 
righteous act.  In  fine,  the  cacique  and  the  Indians  owed 
their  acquittal  to  the  accidental  visit  we  made  there, 
having  been  ourselves  eye-witnesses  of  his  bad  conduct, 

—  a  circumstance  without  which,  notwithstanding  the 
excess  to  which  he  carried  his  tyranny,  the  priest  would 
have  repelled  all  the  charges  alleged  against  him,  the 
Indians  would  have  remained  in  a  worse  condition  than 
before,  and  the  cacique  under  the  odious  imputation  of 
treasonable  designs. 

Let  us  reflect,  now,  whether  the  suffering  undei'gone 
by  this  cacique  and  his  Indians  would  not  have  been 
sufficient,  in  any  other  tiT.be  less  unresisting  and  more 
warlike  and  turbulent,  to  stir  them  up  to  insurrection, 
and  to  take  vengeance  on  the  priest  for  themselves  ;  and, 
the  more  so,  when  there  was  no  one  in  that  village  who 
could  withstand  them  ;  and,  should  not  this  be  the  case, 
would  it  be  possible  to  impede  their  penetrating  as  far 
as  the  Andes,  had  they  wished  to  do  so,  especially  as  this 
chain  of  mountains  is  so  contiguous  to  that  village,  that, 
within  four  hours'  time,  they  could  have  made  their 
escape  to  a  free  country,  inhabited  by  Gentile  Indians, 

—  a  distance  which  would  be  to  those  natives  only  what 
it  is  to  us  to  cross  a  street  ?  No  doubt  can  remain  that 
their  not  having  done  it  at  that  time  was  the  effect  of 
their  passiveness  and  loyalty.  Being  then  no  longer 
able  to  submit  to  such  injustice  and  cruelt}^  they  aban- 
doned their  villages  and  wretched  huts,  and  spread  them- 
selves over  others  belonging  to  the  same  jurisdiction, 


69 


allowing  time  for  the  fearful  tempest  which  had  been 
raised  against  them  to  subside.  lu  view  of  this,  we 
cannot  entertain  the  belief  that  the}^  would  be  guilty  of 
treason  under  a  less  rigorous  S3'stem  of  government, 
when  we  find  the}'  are  not  so  in  spite  of  so  many  in- 
juries and  provocations  ;  for  how  can  we  believe  that 
cruelty  or  severity  should  inspire  them  with  sentiments 
of  loyalty'  and  love  to  their  king,  and  that  kind  treat- 
ment should  transform  them  into  rebels :  above  all, 
when  thc3'  are  so  fond  of  attention  and  caresses  that 
they  account  it  an  excess  of  kindness  on  the  part  of  a 
master  when  he  throws  them  the  fragments  of  what  he 
has  partaken  of  himself;  esteeming  as  they  do  a  morsel 
of  bread  bitten  b^-  his  mouth,  or  the  licking  of  a  plate 
from  which  he  has  eaten,  more  than  a  handful  of  viands 
which  he  has  not  touched  ?  It  is  regarded  by  them  as  a 
mark  of  esteem,  on  the  part  of  those  whom  they  serve, 
to  have  assigned  them  a  place  near  to  themselves,  to 
enjoy  the  privilege  of  lying  upon  the  floor,  near  to  the 
foot  of  their  master's  bed  :  even  any  circumstance,  how- 
ever trivial,  which  argues  a  feeling  of  regard,  is  to  them 
a  matter  of  satisfaction  and  boasting. 

If,  on  the  other  hand,  we  turn  our  attention  to  their 
loj-alty,  we  shall  find  no  nation  in  the  world  who  speak 
of  their  sovereign  with  more  respect  and  veneration. 
The}'  never  take  his  name  into  their  mouths  without  pre- 
fixing the  title  of  Lord,  as  we  have  already  observed  :  at 
the  same  time  uncovering  their  heads, —  a  ceremon}'  which 
neither  the  parish  priests  nor  the  governors  have  taught 
them  ;  for  these  do  not  put  it  in  practice,  nor  have  they 
seen  the  example  in  an}'  Spaniard,  and  yet  they  never 
fail  to  be  scrupulous  in  the  observance  of  it.  Their 
usual  mode  of  address  is,  "the  Lord  King,"  and  some- 
times, agreeably  to  the  subject,  "our  Lord  the  King," 
as  if  it  were  irreverent  to  speak  of  the  soA'ereign  in  any 
other  manner.  Doubtless  this  is  owing  to  the  fact,  that, 
liaAing  heard  the  titles.  Lord  Viceroy,  Lord  President, 
Lord  Bishop  (this  being  an  established  usage  in  those 
countries),  they  have  persuaded  themselves,  and  not 
without  reason,  that,  if  such  respect  is  due  to  subjects,  it 


70 


is  much  more  becoming  to  observe  it  towards  a  sovereign. 
All  this  manifests  the  veneration,  esteem,  and  love  with 
which  they  treat  his  Majesty  ;  and  it  is  a  thing  worthy  of 
admiration  in  a  tribe  so  rude  and  so  destitute  of  mental 
culture,  and  who  have  come  to  know  only  by  informa- 
tion from  a  distant  soui'ce  that  they  have  a  king ;  and 
hence  it  is  that  they  become  more  entitled  to  have  their 
loj'alty  and  love  to  their  prince  rewarded  by  kind  and 
humane  treatment,  as  well  as  by  marks  of  esteem,  when 
they  have  not  rendered  themselves  unworthy  of  it  by  any 
improper  behavior. 

Should  any  apprehension  of  a  rebellion  exist  on  the 
part  of  any  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  southern  countries, 
it  ought  to  fall  on  the  Creoles  or  mestizoes,  who  are  the 
chief  cause  of  tumults,  addicted  as  they  are  to  idleness, 
and  wholly  abandoned  to  vice  ;  but,  as  we  are  to  treat  of 
this  subject  more  in  detail,  we  shall  leave  it  for  the 
chapter  to  which  it  corresponds. 


71 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Extortions  which  the  Indians  snffer  from  the  Parish  Priests. 
—  Corrupt  Morals  and  Scandalous  Life  of  the  Clergy,  both  sec- 
ular and  regular. 

In  view  of  all  that  has  been  said  relative  to  the  rapac- 
ity of  the  corregidors  in  their  unjust  rej^artlmientos,  the 
barbarity  of  the  meta,  the  sequestration  of  landed  prop- 
erty, want  of  protection  in  the  courts  of  justice,  and  the 
rapid  diminution  of  the  Indians,  occasioned  by  unrejnit- 
ted  toil  while  they  are  in  health,  and  in  the  utter  want  of 
resource  in  time  of  sickness,  it  appears  as  if  a  greater 
degree  of  wretchedness  could  not  fall  to  the  lot  of  this 
people,  or  that  the  burdens  under  which  they  already 
groan  would  be  sufficient  to  crush  them.  But  as  they 
are  found  to  have  strength  to  suffer  in  necessity,  and  a 
disposition,  owing  to  the  simplicity  of  their  nature,  to 
submit  to  authority,  the  resources  of  avarice  are  never 
exhausted,  and  the  desire  of  domineering  is  never  satis- 
fied ;  and  the  result  is,  that  even  those  from  whom  they 
ought  to  receive  consolation,  and  to  whom  they  are  to 
look  for  redress,  impose  upon  them  still  heavier  burdens, 
render  their  sufferings  more  acute,  and  drive  them  to  the 
very  verge  of  despair. 

AH  these  calamities  are  brought  upon  the  Indians  by 
their  parish  priests ;  who,  while  they  should  be  their 
spiritual  fathers  and  their  i)rotectors  against  the  unright- 
eous extortions  of  the  corregidors,  do  themselves  go  hand 
in  hand  with  the  latter  to  wrest  from  the  poor  Indian  the 
fruit  of  his  incessant  toil,  even  at  the  cost  of  the  blood 
and  sweat  of  a  tribe  whose  condition  is  so  deplorable  that, 
while  they  have  abundant  means  to  enrich  and  aggrandize 
others,  are  destitute  of  a  scanty  allowance  of  bread  for 
their  own  meagre  sustenance.     In  the  preceding  chapter 


72 


we  mentioned  incidental!}'  the  avarice  of  that  unfeeling 
priest  who  not  onl}-  oppressed  his  parishioners  initil  his 
tyrann}'  became  insupportable,  obliging  them  to  abandon 
their  wretched  hovels  as  soon  as  he  learned  the  complaints 
which  the  chief  had  modestly  laid  before  the  bishop  and 
Court  of  Audience,  but  forged  to  this  prelate,  for  mali- 
cious purposes,  a  heap  of  charges,  the  very  idea  of  which 
made  that  noble  and  respectable  Indian  shudder.  This 
is  the  reason  why  the  corregidors  accuse  the  chiefs  with 
impunity,  when  they  endeavor  to  resist  the  endless  ex- 
tortions made  upon  their  villages  ;  namel}',  that  the  cu- 
rates cannot  confront  them  at  the  tribunal,  because  they 
are  even  more  guilty  than  they,  by  using  artifices  no  less 
iniquitous,  and  imposing  taxes  no  less  unjust. 

The  curacies  of  Peru  are  of  two  sorts  —  some  of  them 
being  superintended  by  a  bishop,  and  others  by  the  pro- 
vincial of  one  of  the  religious  orders.  In  the  former, 
appointments  are  made  by  wrangling  or  a  public  dispu- 
tation, and  the  disputants  are  required  to  undergo  an 
examination  in  the  language  of  the  Inca,  by  which  is 
meant  the  language  of  all  the  Indians  of  Peru.  The 
wrangling  for  presentation  to  vacant  curacies  being  con- 
cluded, the  proceedings  of  which  are  h.  Id  in  the  palace 
of  the  bishop,  in  presence  of  the  dignitaries  of  the  church, 
who  sit  as  Judges,  the  votes  are  taken,  and  the  bishop 
makes  a  list  of  those  who  have  most  distinguished  them- 
selves ;  of  which  number  he  selects  three  for  each  curacy, 
one  of  whom  is  afterwards  nominated  by  the  viceroy  or 
president,  who  delivers  him  the  credentials  or  despatches 
to  which  he  is  entitled. 

As  soon  as  the  parish  priests  are  promoted  to  their 
cures,  they  usualh'  bend  all  their  efforts  to  amassing 
wealth  ;  and  for  this  purpose  they  have  devised  various 
measures,  by  which  the}^  appropriate  to  themselves  the 
pittance  which  may  have  remained  to  the  Indian,  and 
which  has  escaped  the  rapacity  of  the  corregidor.  One 
of  their  devices  is  that  of  the  fraternities ;  and  they  have 
formed  such  a  number  of  them  in  every  village  that  every 
corner  of  the  churches  is  filled  with  images,  and  each  of 
these  has  its  corresponding  fraternity  ;  and,  in  order  not 


73 


to  withdraw  the  Indians  from  their  tasks,  the  celebration 
of  those  saints'  days  which  occur  during  week-time  is 
postponed  to  the  following  Sunda_y. 

The  Sunday  at  length  arrives  on  which  a  saint's  festi- 
val is  to  be  celebrated  :  and  the  sum  of  four  dollars  and  a 
half  is  to  be  collected  b}-  the  OA-erseers,  which  is  the  fee 
for  high  mass  ;  and  an  equal  amount  for  the  sermon,  which 
consists  in  merel}'  repeating  four  words  in  praise  of  the 
saint,  without  any  other  labor  or  study  than  enunciating 
in  the  Peruvian  language  the  first  thing  that  suggests 
itself  to  the  mind  ;  and,  when  this  is  over,  the  Indians  are 
required  to  defray  the  expense  of  the  procession,  the  w^ax, 
and  the  incense.  All  this  is  to  be  paid  in  ready  money, 
as  soon  as  the  festival  is  over  (for  church  fees  are  al- 
wa3-s  to  be  paid  instantl}') .  To  this  is  to  be  added  the 
customar}^  ofi'ering  which  the  overseers  are  compelled  to 
make  to  the  curate  on  every  saint's  festival ;  w^hich  con- 
sists of  two  or  three  dozen  hens,  as  man}'  chickens,  guinea- 
pigs,  eggs,  sheep,  and  a  hog  if  thej'  happen  to  have  an}' ; 
so  that,  when  the  saint's  day  arrives,  the  curate  sweeps  off 
all  that  the  Indian  has  been  able  to  collect  in  money 
during  the  whole  3'ear,  and  also  all  the  fowls  and  animals 
which  his  wife  and  children  have  reared  in  their  huts  :  so 
that  his  family  are  left  wholly  destitute  of  food,  or  have 
no  other  aliment  than  wild  roots,  or  plants  which  they 
cultivate  in  their  small  gardens.  The  Indian  who  has  not 
been  able  to  rear  a  sufiicient  number  of  animals  for  the 
customary  offei-ing  is  bound  of  necessity  to  purchase 
them  ;  and  should  he  not  have  the  money,  as  is  usually 
the  case,  he  is  to  take  it  upon  a  pledge,  or  hire  it  for  the 
time  required,  in  order  to  obtain  it  and  pay  it  without  de- 
lay. As  soon  as  the  sermon  of  the  day  is  concluded,  the 
curate  reads  a  paper  on  which  he  has  inscribed  the  names 
of  those  who  arc  to  be  masters  of  ceremonies  for  the  fes- 
tival of  the  following  year,  and,  if  anyone  docs  not  accept 
it  of  his  free-will,  he  is  forced  to  give  his  consent  by  dint 
of  blows  ;  and,  when  his  da}'  comes,  there  is  no  apology 
that  can  exonerate  him  from  having  the  money  ready ; 
for,  until  it  is  all  collected  and  delivered  to  the  curate, 
mass  is  not  saitl,  the  sermon  is  not  preached,  and  the 

4 


74 


whole  service  is  deferred  until  three  or  four  in  the  after- 
noon, if  necessary,  to  allow  time  to  collect  the  amount, 
as  we  have  had  occasion  to  observe  repeatedly. 

In  order  to  be  more  thoroughl}'  acquainted  with  the 
excess  to  which  this  is  carried,  and  the  enormous  profits 
made  by  the  curates  at  these  festivals,  it  seems  proper  to 
mention  here  what  a  curate  of  the  Province  of  Quito  told 
us  as  we  were  passing  through  his  curacy  ;  which  was, 
that,  including  the  festivals  and  the  commemoration  of 
departed  souls,  he  collected  every  j'car  more  than  two 
hundred  sheep,  six  thousand  hens  and  chickens,  four 
thousand  guinea-pigs,  and  fifty  thousand  eggs,  the  record 
of  which  is  preserved  as  it  was  originally  written  in  our 
manuscript.  It  should  be  remarked  that  this  curacy  was 
not  one  of  the  most  lucrative.  Let  an  estimate,  then,  be 
made  on  these  data  of  the  amount  of  money  that  might 
be  obtained,  and  on  the  supposition  that  the  w^hole  is 
raised  from  a  nation  or  tribe  who  have  no  other  means  of 
gain  than  their  personal  labor,  or  a  very  reduced  salary 
when  they  labor  for  others, — how  is  it  possible  that  such 
stipends  should  be  paid  to  the  curates  ?  We  are  forced  to 
the  conclusion,  that  such  contributions  could  be  sustained 
in  no  way  but  by  tasking  to  the  utmost  not  onh'  men  and 
women,  but  a  whole  famil}^  in  order  to  exact  the  pay- 
ment of  the  sum  total  of  their  earnings  during  the  whole 
year.* 

Besides  the  feast  of  the  fraternity  (for  some  saint's  fes- 
tival never  fails  to  be  celebrated  every  Sunday  and  hol- 

*  The  same  custom  prevails  still  throughout  the  Proviuce  of 
Quito.  Wliile  1  was  at  Otavalo,  a  gentlemau  informed  me  that 
the  parish  priest  of  tliat  town  had  sold  the  otferings  for  the  dead 
(collected  iu  November)  for  three  hundred  dollars. 

Being  on  a  tour  in  the  country  iu  the  year  1835,  I  observed 
that  the  offerings  of  bread  and  various  articles  of  food  (sucli  as 
had  been  most  to  the  taste  of  the  d(,'ceased)  were  deposited  near 
the  grave.  On  further  inquiry,  I  learned  that  they  were  after- 
wards collect(Hl  and  sold  by  the  curate,  although  the  deceased 
was  supposed  to  have  partaken  of  the  substance  of  them.  A 
gentleman  informed  me  that  ho  had  seen  a  bull  tied  near  the 
grave  of  a  man  who  had  distinguished  himself  at  bull-lighting, 
as  if  such  a  testimony  of  remembrance  would  solace  his  departed 
spirit. —  Til. 


75 


iday),  they  bave  that  of  All-Souls'  month,  -when  it  is 
required  of  every  Indian  to  carr^'  his  offering  to  the  church, 
which  consists  of  the  same  articles  as  those  of  the  ordi- 
nary'feasts  ;  and,  after  they  are  placed  on  the  graves,  the 
curate  passes  round  to  sa}'  a  response  over  each  of  them^ 
while  his  servants  collect  the  offerings.  This  continues 
the  whole  month  of  November ;  and,  in  order  to  have  no 
"daj'  omitted,  the  curate  divides  them  among  the  estates 
and  villages  annexed  to  his  curacy  ;  the  Indians  of  such 
estates  or  villages  meet  on  the  day  allotted  them,  and, 
besides  the  offerings,  they  are  to  pa}'  the  alms  gift  usual 
at  mass.  What  takes  place  with  regard  to  the  wine  de- 
serves more  particular  mention,  wine  being  one  of  the 
customary  offerings  for  the  dead  ;  but  that  climate  does 
not  produce  it,  and  it  is  ver}'  difficult  to  obtain  it  in  those 
provinces  which  are  so  remote  from  the  coast.  Ingenuity, 
however,  has  devised  means  of  supplying  the  want  of  it. 
For  the  purpose  in  question,  the  curate  orders  a  portion 
of  that  which  is  used  at  mass  to  be  put  in  one  or  two 
bottles ;  and  it  is  hired  out,  at  two  or  three  reals  (ac- 
cording to  the  quantity),  to  the  first  Indian  woman  who 
stands  waiting  with  her  offering  to  have  a  response  said  ; 
and,  when  this  is  done,  the  offering  is  collected  in  bas- 
kets :  but  the  wine  (being  again  hired  out)  passes  to 
another  grave,  and  so  continues  to  make  the  whole  cir- 
cuit of  the  church,  earning  as  many  fees  as  there  are 
gi'aves,  this  process  going  on  every  day  during  the  whole 
month  of  November. 

On  all  the  8unda3's  on  which  the  "  doctrine  "  is  pre- 
scribed to  be  read  to  the  people  prior  to  mass,  every  Ind- 
ian woman  is  to  carry  an  egg  to  the  curate,  as  the 
statutes  require,  or  something  equivalent :  but  in  addition 
to  this,  which  is  the  whole  extent  of  their  obligation,  the 
curates  compel  the  Indians  to  bring  to  them  each  a  bundle 
of  sticks  ;  while  the  Indian  boys  and  girls,  who  come 
every  afternoon  to  the  "  clodriiie"  are  to  bring  a  truss  of 
haj',  according  to  the  measure  of  their  feeble  abilit}^,  to 
feed  the  horses  and  cattle  which  belong  to  the  parish 
priest.  By  having  recourse  to  such  methods,  they  have 
no  occasion  to  spend  money  for   anything :  and,  while 


76 

tliey  are  maintained  by  the  Indians,  they  become  rich  at 
their  expense  ;  for  all  the  offerings  they  can  accumulate 
are  sent  to  market  to  the  neighboring  cities,  hamlets,  and 
mining  towns,  and  are  converted  into  money.  By  these 
means  they  augment  the  revenue  of  a  curacy  to  such  a 
degree,  that,  although  the  customary  fees  might  not  ex- 
ceed seven  or  eight  hundred  dollars,  it  gives  them  an 
income  of  five  or  six  thousand  dollars  annually  ;  and  there 
are  many  which  greatly  exceed  that  amount.  But  all 
which  has  been  said  hitherto  scarce  deserves  to  be  named 
in  comparison  of  what  takes  place  in  curacies  held  by 
monks  ;  for  it  appears  as  if  in  these  the  spirit  of  oppres- 
sion had  been  carried  to  its  utmost  bounds.  This  arises 
in  part  from  the  fact  that,  as  these  priests  are  subject  to 
be  removed,  they  endeavor  to  raise  in  the  mean  time  the 
greatest  amount  possible,  having  no  other  object  in  view 
than  to  retire  upon  an  estate,  after  their  term  of  office 
has  expired. 

As  it  respects  rotation  in  office,  two  methods  are 
adopted  :  one  is  practised  in  the  province  of  Quito,  which 
is  that  of  declaring  vacancies  and  filUug  them  up_  at  the 
meeting  of  every  chapter  ;  the  other  obtains  in  all  the  rest 
of  Peru,  where  the  curates  are  allowed  to  hold  their  office 
as  long  as  they  wish,  unless  some  good  reason  be  as- 
signed which  may  make  it  necessary  to  depose  one  and 
substitute  another.  To  supply  these  vacancies,  ^no  ex- 
amination is  requisite,  but  merely  the  form  of  presenting 
the  names  of  three  candidates  to  the  provincial,  who 
makes  choice  of  one,  as  he  does  in  the  case  of  the  secular 
clergy  ;  but,  in  what  way  soever  the  vacancy  be  filled,  the 
curate  who  comes  into  office,  or  who  continues  in  office, 
must  always  contribute  to  the  provincial  of  his  order  the 
amount  stipulated  for  each  curacy  ;  and,  should  any  one 
come  forward  and  offer  more,  the  resident  curate  is 
obliged  to  make  up  the  amount,  or  otherwise  the  vacancy 
will  be  filled  by  his  competitor.  The  sum  given  for  each 
curacy  is  so  enormous  as  to  exceed  all  credilnlity.  At 
present  it  will  suffice  to  say  that  this  is  based  upon  the  rev- 
enue that  it  can  be  made  to  yield.  This  tax  falls  directly 
upon  the  Indians ;  for,  in  addition  to  what  the  curate 


77 


expects  to  raise  for  his  own  benefit,  he  ninst  likewise 
raise  the  amount  to  be  contributed  to  the  provincial ;  and 
as  this  is  repeated  at  the  meeting  of  eA^ery  chapter,  it  is 
impossible  to  giva  an  adequate  idea  of  the  burdened  con- 
dition of  the  Indians  ;  for  the  monks  are  more  cruel  and 
oppressive  than  the  secular  clerg}'.  The  measures  which 
they  resort  to  in  order  to  accumulate  wealth,  and  which, 
however  painful  the  task,  we  are  about  to  describe, 
may  offend  the  ear,  and  exceed  the  bounds  of  credibility, 
so  diflicult  is  it  to  yield  our  assent  to  them.  We  do 
therefore  protest,  that,  in  regard  to  every  statement  we 
have  to  make,  nothing  has  been  added,  and  nothing  has 
been  exaggerated  ;  and  we  have  always  scrupulously  ob- 
served a  distinction  between  what  we  have  ourselves 
seen  and  what  we  have  learned  b}'  report. 

It  is  natural  to  suppose,  that,  after  the  curates  have 
availed  themselves  as  far  as  possible  of  the  service  of  the 
Indians,  the}'  would  do  the  same  with  the  Indian  women 
and  children  ;  for  which  purpose,  while  the  priest  on  his 
part  keeps  the  ' '  mill  at  work  "  (this  is  another  phrase 
for  tjTanny,  as  used  b}'  the  curates),  he  instructs  his 
concubine  to  do  the  same  on  her  part.  This  woman,  who 
is  known  as  such,  and  without  exciting  surprise,  because 
it  is  everj'where  so  common,  takes  under  her  charge  all 
the  Indian  women  and  children  ;  and,  converting  the  whole 
Aillage  into  a  manufactory,  she  assigns  to  some  tasks  in 
spinning  wool  or  cotton,  and  to  others,  pieces  for  weav- 
ing ;  and  to  the  aged,  and  to  those  who  are  incapable  of 
performing  this  service,  she  gives  hens,  and  imposes  on 
them  the  obligation  of  delivering  to  her,  within  a  definite 
time,  ten  or  twelve  chickens  for  each  one  ;  it  being  their 
duty  to  feed  them  at  their  own  expense,  and,  if  the}^ 
should  die,  to  replace  them  with  others  :  and  by  these 
means  no  one  is  exempted  from  contributing  something 
to  the  revenue  of  the  curate. 

His  own  farm  is  to  be  cultivated  on  Sundays  and  hol- 
ida3's,  and  for  this  purpose  some  one  of  the  Indians  must 
be  present  with  his  cattle,  and  those  who  have  none  must 
appear  in  person  ;  and  they  perform  the  operations  of 
sowing,  harrowing,  and  reaping,  at  no  greater  cost  than 


78 


a  mere  word  of  command.     Thus,  on  those  days  which 
God  requh-es  to  be  whollj^  devoted  to  his  service   and 
adoration,  that  all  may  rest  from  the  labors  of  the  week, 
the  curate  relaxes  the  obligation  of  a  solemn  precept  for 
his  own  emolument,  or  for  the  benefit  of  a  concubine  ; 
and,  because  these  things  are  so  repugnant  to  reason  as 
to  become  incredible,  we  shall  cite  an  example,  of  which 
one  of  us  was  an  eye-witness,  in  order  that  the  state- 
ments which  follow  may  not  be  regarded  with  distrust.* 
It  is  customary,  in  all  the  curacies,  to  apportion  the 
days  of  Lent  among  all  the  estates  in  the  district,  in 
order  that  they  may  send  their  Indians  to  confession  at 
the  time  prescribed  by  the  church.     In  the  year  1744, 
one  of  our  companj^  was  residing  on  the  estate  of  Colim- 
buela,  near  to  a  mountain-pass  where  we  had  to  make 
observations  in  the  Province  of  Quito,  and  not  far  from 
a  curac}^  to  which  its   spiritual  jurisdiction  belonged  ; 
and  on  this  account  he  went  to  that  village  to  hear  mass 
on  a  feast  day,  where  he  found  assembled  a  number  of 
Indians  of  the  same  estate,  to  make  confession  ;  but  the 
priest,  instead  of  administering  to  them  this  sacrament, 
kept  both  the  men  and  women  in  constant  employment, 
—  the  latter  in  the  corridors  of  the  yard,  where  they  were 
weaving  the  tasks  of  cotton  and  wool,  which  had  been  as- 
signed them  by  the  ladij  of  the  curate  ;  and  the  former,  in 
ploughing  and  sowing  the  fields,  so  that  they  had  been  at 
work  the  whole  day,  mass  having  been  said  at  a  very  early 
hour,  in  order  to  gain  time.     The  overseer  of  the  estate, 
who  happened  to  be  in  the  village  that  da^',  remarked  that 
after  they  had  concluded  their  tasks  they  went  home,  but 
that  he  did  not  know  the  manner  or  time  in  which  the 
curate  confessed  them,  assuring  him  that  this  practice 


*  lu  tlao  year  1836,  I  spent  a  few  days  in  Cotocollo,  a  beautiful 
country  town  in  the  vicinity  of  Quito.  On  Sunday  morning,  I 
observed  a  number  of  Indians  working  silently  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  a  farm-house.  On  expressing  my  surprise  that  no  day 
of  rest  should  be  allowed  to  the  Indians,  I  was  told  that  the 
field  belonged  to  the  curate,  who  claimed  the  right  to  set  aside 
the  divine  precept,  when  any  service  was  to  bo  performed  for 
the  good  of  the  church. —  Tr. 


79 


was  general!}'  adopted  in  respect  to  the  Indians  of  the 
other  estates ;  and  thus,  during  the  whole  period  of 
Lent,  and  for  a  month  and  a  half  following,  the  priest 
enjo3-ed  the  same  advantage,  having  at  his  disposal  as 
many  Indians  as  he  required. 

What  occasioned  greater  scandal  was,  that  those  who 
made  up  the  choir  of  the  church  were  busy  at  weaving ; 
nor  did  they  suspend  their  work  during  the  time  that 
mass  was  saying,  so  that  it  is  easy  to  imagine  what  a 
degree  of  irreverence  was  occasioned  by  the  bustle  of 
the  hand-looms.  After  mass  had  been  said,  and  the 
people  were  gone  out,  the  church  was  closed,  and  the 
Indians  were  shut  in,  just  as  they  are  in  the  mills  ;  and 
their  occupation  could  not  be  disguised,  because  the 
noise  of  the  frames  or  wea^^ng-rods  could  he  distinctly 
heard  from  without. 

The  unfeeling  manner  in  which  they  are  treated  after 
their  death  corresponds  with  the  conduct  oliserved  tow- 
ards them  while  they  are  living ;  for  they  would  con- 
sent to  have  their  carcasses  exposed  on  the  highwaj",  to 
be  mangled  by  dogs  and  devoured  by  vultures,  rather 
than  give  them  burial  or  show  any  semblance  of  pity, 
until  the  charity  of  survivors  has  collected  and  paid  the 
whole  amount  of  the  church  fees.  Of  this  there  are  pal- 
pable instances,  at  almost  every  step,  in  journeying  from 
one  farm  to  another :  but,  if  the  deceased  has  left  aught 
behind,  the  curate  becomes  universal  heir ;  collecting 
together  utensils  and  live-stock,  and  stripping  his  wife 
and  children  of  every  thing  they  possessed.  The  method 
of  doing  it,  as  well  as  the  mode  of  legalizing  the  fraud, 
is  very  peculiar.  It  consists  in  making  for  the  deceased 
a  sumptuous  fiuieral,  however  repugnant  it  may  l)e  to 
the  views  of  the  interested  parties  ;  and  tliis  furnishes 
pretext  enough  for  the  curate  to  engross  it  all  to  himself. 
In  vain  do  the  heirs  enter  a  complaint ;  in  vain  does  the 
protector  domnnd  satisfaction;  for  the  curate  presents 
his  account  of  I'urial  expenses,  — the  tolUng  of  the  bell, 
the  masses  and  prayers  said  over  the  body,  —  and,  as 
the  whole  is  in  conformity  with  the  tariff,  he  maintains 
his  ground,  and  is  finally  acquitted. 


80 


The  wretched  state  of  the  Indian  is  to  be  attributed  to 
the  vices  of  the  priests,  the  extortions  of  the  corregidors, 
and  the  bad  treatment  which  they  generall}^  receive  from 
all  Spaniards.  Unable  to  endure  their  hardships,  and 
longing  to  escape  from  bondage,  man^^  of  them  have 
risen  in  rebellion,  and  found  their  wa}^  to  unconquered 
districts,  there  to  continue  in  the  barbarous  practices  of 
their  idolatrous  neighbors  ;  and,  in  view  of  the  foregoing, 
what  conclusions  are  thej^  to  form  from  the  scandalous 
lives  of  their  parish  priests  ;  especially  when  we  reflect 
that  the  Indian  is  but  partially  civilized,  and  taught 
rather  b}^  example  than  by  precept?  Religious  instruction 
can  make  no  impression  upon  them,  if  they  witness  just 
the  reverse  of  what  is  taught  in  the  conduct  of  their 
spiritual  guides  ;  for  although  they  are  enjoined  to  love 
God  with  all  the  heart,  and  their  neighbors  as  them- 
selves, if  they  find  neither  the  one  precept  nor  the  other 
exhibited  in  the  lives  of  those  who  are  to  point  out  to 
them  the  way,  it  is  not  strauge  that  they  should  slight 
religion,  and  treat  it  with  contempt,  regarding  it  as  a 
thing  so  superficial  and  external  as  to  make  it  consist 
only  in  words,  and  not  in  faith  or  works. 

The  village  of  Pimampiro,  attached  to  the  department 
of  the  city  of  Miguel  in  Ibarra,  presents  a  melancholy  ex- 
ample of  the  evils  resulting  from  the  unjust  extortions  of 
the  parish  priests.  Agreeably  to  records  which  are  still 
existing,  that  town  consisted  of  more  than  five  thousand 
souls,  all  Indians,  and  it  was  a  flourishing  settlement. 
The  behavior  of  the  curate  drove  them  to  desperation. 
Uniting  in  one  body,  they  rose  in  rebellion,  and  pro- 
ceeded by  night  to  the  Cordilleras,  where  they  merged 
themselves  with  the  Gentile  Indians,  with  whom  they 
have  continued  until  the  present  time.  The  site  they 
now  occuj^y  is  so  near  to  the  limits  of  that  department 
that  the  smoke  of  their  huts  may  be  seen  by  merely 
taking  the  trouble  to  ascend  the  neighboring  summits. 
Some  of  these  Indians  have  occasionally  appeared  in  the 
town  of  Mira,  the  nearest  settlement  to  their  villages,  and 
have  disappeared  again  with  the  greatest  pi'ccipitation. 

Examples  of  the  same  nature  maj-  be  found  in  the  loss 


81 


of  the  fiimous  city  of  Logrono  and  the  village  of  Guari- 
boya,  r,-hich  constituted  the  chief  part  of  the  jurisdiction 
of  Quixos  and  Macas  ;  whose  capital,  Seville  (Sevilla  del 
Oro) ,  now  reduced  to  ruins,  exists  only  as  a  sad  memorial 
of  the  ruin  that  befell  them.  This  country  is  so  rich  in 
gold  that  the  capital  derived  its  name  from  the  abun- 
dance of  that  metal  which  it  yielded  ;  and  its  inhabitants 
still  preserve  the  scales  in  which  the  amount  of  one-fifth 
was  weighed,  to  l)e  deposited  in  the  king's  exchequer; 
but  the  corregidors  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  curates  on 
the  other,  reduced  the  Indians  to  such  straits,  by  com- 
pelling them  to  labor  for  their  benefit,  that  they  were 
driven  to  the  necessity  of  rising  in  rebellion  ;  and,  in  imi- 
tation of  what  was  executed  upon  Pedro  Valdivia  by  the 
natives  of  Arauco,  Tucapel,  and  others,  they  melted  a 
great  quantity  of  gold,  and  poured  it  into  the  ears  and 
nostrils  of  the  Spaniards  ;  they  put  all  the  men  to  death, 
reserving  the  women,  whom  they  took  with  them  in  their 
retreat  to  the  wilderness  of  Macas,  after  having  laid  waste 
that  city  aud  other  neighboring  towns.  Seville  and  Zuha 
were  the  only  settlements  that  escaped  the  vengeance  of 
the  Indians  ;  but  they  have  become  so  depopulated  by 
frequent  incursions  of  hostile  tribes,  that  the  township  is 
so  reduced  and  impoverished  that  no  money  circulates 
among  them.  But  to  show  how  unfriendly  the  scandal- 
ous conduct  of  the  parish  priests  is,  not  only  to  the  pres- 
ervation of  the  villages  originally  conquered,  but  to  the 
conversion  of  Gentile  tribes,  we  shall  present  a  case  which 
occurred  of  late  j-ears,  and  which  proves  our  assertion 
be3'ond  a  doubt. 

An  Indian,  who  appeared  clandestinely  in  the  town  of 
Riobamba,  left  the  site  where  once  stood  the  village  of 
Goamboya,  and  proceeded  immediately  to  the  house  of  a 
clergyman  who  resided  there,  aud  whose  integrity  was 
unquestionable,  to  whom  he  observed  that  he  came  in 
behalf  of  liis  own  tribe  and  of  several  others  of  the  same 
neighborhood,  to  notiiy  him  that  they  would  like  to  have 
him  for  their  curate,  to  baptize  them  and  say  mass ;  and 
tliat  they  would  give  liim  his  maintenan(!e  in  return,  and, 
if  the  terms  were  agreed  to,  they  would  furnish  him  as 

4» 


82 


much  gold  as  lie  required,  and  as  many  wives  as  were  to 
his  liking  ;  but  that  he  must  go  alone,  accompanied  neither 
by  Spaniards  nor  mestizoes,  nor  any  other  priest  what- 
ever ;  and  concluded  by  saying  that  the  reason  why  they 
were  so  favorably  inclined  towards  him  was,  the  good  re- 
port they  had  had  of  his  conduct,  having  learned  that  his 
avarice  was  not  so  insatiable  as  was  that  of  his  associates. 
The  clergyman,  jealous  of  the  barbarity  common  to  Ind- 
ians, replied  that  he  could  not  then  answer  him,  but 
would  do  so  within  a  stated  time.  The  Indian  showed 
signs  of  disappointment ;  but,  having  named  a  day  when 
he  should  receive  the  reply,  he  pointed  out  a  pass  among 
the  paramos,  to  which  the  said  clergpuan  only  should 
repair,  and  would  there  be  received  by  him  in  company 
with  others  of  his  tribe,  that  they  might  escort  him  to 
their  territory,  in  case  he  should  accept  the  proposal,  but 
under  the  indispensable  condition  that  no  one  should  ac- 
company him.  The  Indian  again  disappeared,  and  the 
ecclesiastic,  confounded  by  the  occurrence,  proceeded  to 
Quito  to  communicate  it  to  the  bishop  of  that  city,  Sr. 
Paredes,  who  had  been  promoted  to  that  office  a  short 
time  previous  to  our  arrival  in  the  province.  This  pre- 
late inspired  him  with  Christian  boldness  to  go  and 
undertake  the  conversion  of  as  many  unbelievers  as  were 
disposed  through  his  instrumentality  to  embrace  the  gospel. 
The  clerg3'man,  being  fully  resolved  to  do  so,  under  the 
first  impulse  of  the  fervor  inspired  by  the  arguments  and 
persuasions  of  the  bishop,  returned  to  Riobamba  ;  but  the 
pusillanimity  of  his  irresolute  mind  wrought  such  an  effect 
upon  him,  that,  becoming  wholly  disheartened,  he  had  not 
sufficient  resolution  to  go  to  the  place  appointed,  when  the 
period  agreed  upon  had  arrived.  The  Indian  resorted 
thither,  accompanied  by  others  of  his  tribe,  and  lay  hid 
several  days  ;  but,  finding  that  the  priest  did  not  appear, 
he  returned  to  Riobamba  by  night,  and  visited  his  favor- 
ite curate,  who,  although  he  offered  to  accede  to  his  re- 
quest, added  the  condition  that  he  was  to  go  in  company 
with  a  few  Spaniards  for  security  —  a  thing  which  was 
extremely  repugnant  to  the  Indians.  The  messenger, 
finding  that  he  could  not  secure  his  object  by  dint  of  en- 


83 


treaty,  nor  b}'  giving  bim  such  coarse  expressions  of  con- 
fidence as  his  Hmitecl  capacit}'  dictated,  absented  himself 
the  same  night  from  the  town,  overwhehned  with  disap- 
pointment. The  priest  immediately'  spread  the  news  of 
the  Indian's  second  visit ;  and,  naming  the  place  where  he 
had  told  him  he  would  wait  for  him,  with  others  of  his 
tribe,  several  persons  went  to  reconnoitre  it,  and  found 
manifest  indications  of  people  having  been  there  ;  but, 
although  thej'  endeavored  to  penetrate  farther,  for  the 
purpose  of  discovering  the  paths  through  which,  the  Ind- 
ians had  made  their  retreat,  the^'  were  unable  to  do  so, 
ever}'  vestige  of  them  having  disappeared  after  they  had 
proceeded  a  short  distance. 

This  occurrence  occasioned  great  sensation  in  that 
province  ;  and,  although  it  might  seem  strange  that  they 
should  appl}'  to  that  priest,  and  should  be  acquainted 
with  his  character,  when  thej'  have  no  intercourse  with 
those  Indians,  it  will  not  appear  so  if  we  reflect,  that 
many  Indians  of  those  villages,  harassed  by  their  curates, 
oppressed  b}-  the  corregidors,  and  grieved  at  the  cruel 
treatment  the}'  receive  on  the  plantations,  disappear,  and 
retire  to  those  unconquered  wilds  to  live  with  the  Gentile 
Indians,  to  whom  the}'  communicate  in  detail  every  thing 
that  occurs  in  the  conquered  territor}'  and  settlements, 
making  them  so  disaffected  towards  the  Spaniards  that 
their  reduction  is  rendered  more  diflicult  than  ever. 
There  is  no  doubt  that  the  individual  who  came  twice 
to  Rioljamlja  was  one  of  this  class  ;  for,  besides  the  cir- 
cumstance of  knowing  the  priest,  and  going  directl}'  to 
his  house,  he  spoke  with  accurac}'  the  language  of  the 
Incas,  which  is  not  in  use  among  those  tribes  of  Gentile 
Indians. 

We  find  in  this  example  sufficient  evidence,  both  of  the 
extreme  avarice  and  scandalous  lives  of  the  priests,  as 
well  as  of  the  opinion  the  Indians  must  necessarily  enter- 
tain of  them  l)y  what  the}'  see  in  them,  and  by  what  they 
experience  from  them  :  which  may  be  clearly  inferred 
from  the  declaration  of  the  Indian  messenger  to  the 
priest,  tliat  they  would  iiave  none  but  himself  to  instruct 
and  govern  them  ;  lor  the}'  believed  that  he  would  not 


84 

enslave  them,  as  the  rest  of  the  Spaniards  do,  nor  would 
he  consent  that  others  should  go  with  him,  lest,  the  road 
being  discovered,  they  should  enter  in  great  numbers, 
seize  their  grounds,  and  enslave  their  i)ersons. 

The  most  amusing  characteristic  of  that  simple  people, 
and  which  most  contributes  to  make  them  known  to  us, 
is  the  offer  made  to  furnish  the  curate  as  many  wives  as 
he  Ts  ould  like  :  for  the  Indians,  having  observed  that  the 
priests  are  accompanied  by  a  female,  as  the  married 
laity  are,  and  by  a  family  of  children  in  her  train,  they 
are  persuaded  that  this  horrible  sacrilege  is  a  lawful  act ; 
while  they,  as  well  as  everybody  else,  are  eye-witnesses 
of  such  licentious  practices,  that  it  is  enough  to  make 
the  most  fearless  tremble  to  see  with  what  unconcern 
and  self-complacency  those  priests  rise  from  the  couch  of 
criminal  indulgence  to  celebrate  the  holiest  sacrifice  that 
the  imagination  can  conceive.  Although  the  subject  is 
one  to  be  deplored  in  silence,  rather  than  to  be  inscribed 
on  paper,  an  earnest  desire  that  such  accursed  licen- 
tiousness may  be  reformed  obliges  us  not  to  dissemlile  or 
palliate  it ;  and,  in  further  proof  of  the  unrestrained 
lewdness  of  those  ecclesiastics,  we  must  be  permitted  to 
mention  an  instance  very  generally  reported  in  the  whole 
Province  of  Quito,  although  it  tooJc  place  some  time  pre- 
vious .to  our  arrival  in  that  country-. 

In  a  village  belonging  to  the  jurisdiction  of  Cuenca, 
the  curacy  of  which  pertains  to  one  of  the  orders,  a  friar 
was  serving  as  curate  at  a  time  that  the  cacique  of  the 
town  had  a  young  daughter,  who,  for  an  Indian  girl, 
possessed  no  ordinary  share  of  beauty.  The  curate  had 
used  every  artifice  to  accomplish  her  destruction  ;  but 
her  own  firmness,  as  well  as  the  estimable  character  of 
her  father,  had  saved  her  from  falling  into  the  fatal  snare. 
The  curate  could  not  tolerate  the  contempt  of  the  Indian 
woman,  and  had  the  impudence  to  malvc  known  his 
designs  to  her  father ;  but  the  latter  prided  himself  so 
much  on  the  rank  of  his  family,  as  well  as  on  the  circum- 
stance of  his  daughter's  being  the  only  heiress  of  the 
chiefship,  that  he  rejected  with  scorn  the  wicked  and 
shameful  proposal.     The   curate,  discovering  that   the 


85 


cacique  was  unfavorable  to  his  designs,  invented  a  false- 
hood (to  set  aside  the  difficulty)  as  perverse  as  could  be 
dictated  by  the  infernal  spirit  himself.  He  went  to  the 
cacique  to  ask  her  in  marriage  ;  and,  with  a  view  to 
overcome  the  repugnance  which  such  a  novel  occurrence 
might  excite,  he  told  him  that  he  would  obtain  a  license 
from  his  bishop,  in  which  case  he  would  be  allowed  to 
marry.  He  further  attempted  to  remove  all  the  doubts 
which  might  suggest  themselves  to  the  mind  of  the 
cacique  on  the  subject,  by  informing  him  that,  although 
this  practice  was  not  a  common  one,  such  licenses  were 
general!}'  refused  only  on  the  ground  that  they  could  not 
be  burdened  with  the  expense  of  maintaining  the  wi.lows 
and  children  which  might  become  dependent  upon  them  ; 
but  that  this  circumstance  did  not  obtain  in  him,  inas- 
much as  he  possessed  an  estate  adequate  to  the  support 
of  a  famih,  not  to  mention  the  terms  of  intimacy  in 
which  he  had  always  lived  with  the  bishop.  Finality,  he 
cited  to  him  false  precedents  and  lictitious  documents, 
by  which  the  cacique  was  convinced  of  his  sincerity,  and 
promised  him  his  daugliter  in  marriage  as  soon  as  he 
should  obtain  the  requisite  permission.  In  order  to 
deceive  the  cacique,  he  immediately  sent  an  express, 
although  for  a  very  different  purpose,  to  the  provincial 
of  his  order  in  Quito  ;  and,  while  awaiting  his  return,  he 
drew  up,  Avith  the  aid  of  his  assistant,  a  false  patent,  in 
which  he  set  forth  that  that  prelate  had  granted  him  a 
license  to  marry.  The  messenger  returned  ;  and,  when 
the  cacique  called  at  the  curate's  to  know  the  result,  he 
showed  him  the  document,  and  the  cacique,  with  evident 
marks  of  satisfaction,  congratulated  him  on  the  favor- 
able result.  The  mock  nuptials  were  celebrated  that 
very  night,  and  the  curate's  assistant  officiated  as  priest, 
without  the  presence  of  witnesses,  or  any  regard  to  the 
usual  forms  ;  for  the  priest  maliciously  insinuated  to  him 
that  these  were  not  re([uisitc  in  cases  of  that  kind.  The 
ceremony  was  performed,  and  from  that  day  they  con- 
tinned  to  lead  a  married  life.  The  Indians  of  the  village 
spread  the  report  of  the  curate's  having  married  the 
cacique's  daughter  ;  but  no  one  could  persuade  himself  to 


86 


believe  that  it  could  have  been  so  in  realit}-,  but  sup- 
posed he  had  taken  her  as  a  concubine,  it  being  so  com- 
mon to  have  such.  The  occurrence  did  not  attract  much 
notice  at  first ;  and  they  continued  living  together  for 
man}'  3'ears,  until,  after  having  had  a  numerous  family, 
the  fraud  was  discovered,  and  the  priest  suspended  for  a 
time  from  the  duties  of  the  priestly  office.  The  unfor- 
tunate Indian  woman  was  burdened  with  children  ;  and 
the  cacique,  grieved  for  the  reproach  he  had  suffered, 
died  soon  after,  —  the  heaviest  part  of  the  punishment 
ultimately  falling  on  those  who  had  been  guilty  of  no 
other  crime  than  that  of  having  listened  with  credulity  to 
the  protestations  of  a  priest.- 

The  credibihty  of  this  circumstance  rests  on  its  gen- 
eral notoriet}^  in  those  countries  :  elsewhere,  it  might  be 
regarded  in  the  light  of  a  fable  ;  but,  in  a  country  where 
a  licentious  life  is  so  common,  anj'thing  may  admit  of 
belief.  We  cannot  assert  it  as  a  positive  fact ;  but,  from 
what  we  have  experienced,  it  is  by  no  means  difficult  to 
believe  it.  During  our  travels  we  used  to  beguile  the 
tediousness  of  the  way  by  entering  into  conversation 
with  our  Indian  guides  ;  and  the  first  information  they 
gaxe  us  related  to  the  family  of  the  curate  of  the  village 
to  which  we  were  going,  it  being  quite  enough  to  ask 
after  the  health  of  the  loife  of  the  curate,  that  they 
might  acquaint  us  with  the  number  of  those  whom  he 
had  known  in  that  character,  the  sons  and  daughters 
belonging  to  each  of  them,  their  lineage,  and  even  the 
most  trivial  circumstances  connected  with  the  ordinary 
occurrences  of  the  village. 

From  what  we  have  witnessed  in  respect  to  these 
curacies,  we  may  infer  that  the  -^hole  aim  of  those 
monks  in  soliciting  such  preferments  is  to  straiten  the 
Indians,  in  order  to  enrich  themselves  at  their  expense, 
and  to  live  with  entire  freedom  from  restraint.  Hence 
there  is  not  one  among  them  who  covets  the  rural  cura- 
cies, which  consist  of  the  modern  missions  ;  for,  as  those 
Indians  are  not  subject  to  church  contributions,  the 
curates  are  not  at  liberty  to  impose  them,  and  to  enforce 
the  payment  of  them,  as  is  the  case  in  other  districts  ; 


& 


87 


and  although  the  Indians  of  their  own  accord  cultivate 
cue  of  their  farms  for  the  benefit  of  the  curate,  yet,  as 
its  produce  is  merely  sufiicient  to  supply  their  necessities, 
and  not  to  accumulate,  it  is  not  enough  to  satisfy  the 
cravings  of  avarice.  Hence  those  who  go  to  them  do 
so  as  a  penance,  or  from  caprice,  or  to  make  a  merit  of 
it,  in  order  to  secure  some  benefice  in  an  old  settlement, 
rather  than  from  the  single  desire  of  employing  them- 
selves in  the  instruction  of  the  Indians  ;  and  for  this 
reason  the  few  who  accept  these  curacies  spend  the 
greater  part  or  almost  the  whole  year  in  the  villages  or 
cities,  which  the}'  prefer,  and  reside  on  their  curacy  only 
during  the  annual  celebration  of  the  church  festivals, 
which  are  all  comprised  within  the  short  term  of  fifteen 
or  twenty  days,  and  they  take  their  departure  from  them 
as  soon  as  the  ceremony  is  finished. 

The  name  of  rural  parishes  is  given  to  those  which  lie 
on  the  spurs  of  the  lofty  chain  of  the  Andes,  through 
the  whole  tract  of  country',  which  extends  easterl}^  on 
this  side,  and  westerly  on  that  which  belongs  to  the 
other  side.  The  climate  of  those  latitudes  is  hot  and 
moist,  and  on  that  account  not  well  adapted  to  those 
who  are  accustomed  to  the  hill  country.  It  is  this  which 
renders  them  little  to  be  coveted,  and  which  furnishes  a 
pretext  for  the  curates  who  accept  them  not  to  take  up 
their  residence  in  them.  But  were  they  animated  with 
zeal  to  promote  the  cause  of  religion,  or  stimulated  by  a 
desire  lor  the  salvation  of  those  souls,  they  would  not 
stop  at  dilliculties,  nor  find  fault  with  a  change  of  temper- 
ature ;  but  as  their  zeal  is  directed  only  to  the  increase 
of  their  revenue,  and  not  to  the  propagation  of  the  faith, 
every  thing  is  difficult  and  repugnant,  except  it  be  to  live 
after  the  licentious  customs  which  have  become  inveter- 
ate in  the  older  settlements. 

Having  descril)ed  the  tyrannical  policy  of  the  curates 
towards  tlie  Indians,  their  atrocious  conduct,  and  their 
dissolute  habits,  it  remains  to  examine  the  method 
adopted  for  the  education  of  the  Indians,  and  their  in- 
struction in  the  (h^gmas  of  religion  ;  on  which  sul)ject 
we  have  already  observed  that  on  ISundays  the  Christian 


88 


doctrine  is  rehearsed  a  short,  time  previous  to  saving 
mass.  At  this  ceremony  all  the  Indians,  male  and 
female,  great  and  small,  are  to  present  themselves  ;  and, 
gathering  in  the  cemetery  or  square,  in  front  of  the 
church,  they  sit  upon  the  ground,  arranged  according  to 
age  and  sex,  and  the  catechizing  or  doctrine  commences 
in  the  following  manner  : — 

Each  curate  employs  a  blind  Indian,  whose  duty  it  is 
to  repeat  the  doctrine  to  the  rest.  The  latter  is  stationed 
in  the  centre  of  them  all ;  and,  with  a  kind  of  recitative, 
which  is  neither  singing  nor  prayer,  he  repeats  the  col- 
lects or  offices  word  for  word,  and  the  audience  responds 
in  the  form  of  dialogue.  The  doctrine  is  sometimes 
rehearsed  in  the  language  of  the  Inca  (which  is  that  of 
the  Indians),  and  sometimes  in  Spanish,  which  is  not 
intelligible  to  any  of  them.  This  saying  of  pi'ayers  lasts 
somewhat  more  than  half  an  hour,  and  it  comprises  all 
the  religious  instruction  which  is  given  to  the  Indians, — 
a  method  from  which  they  derive  so  little  benefit  that  old 
men  of  seventy  know  no  more  than  the  little  Indian 
bo3'S  {cholitos)  of  the  age  of  six,  and  neither  these  nor 
those  have  an}"  further  instruction  than  parrots  would 
obtain  if  they  were  so  taught ;  for  they  are  neither  ques- 
tioned personally',  nor  are  the  mysteries  of  faith  ex- 
plained to  them  with  the  needful  simplicity,  nor  are  they 
examined  to  see  if  they  understand  what  thej  say,  nor 
do  they  endeavor  to  make  it  more  intelligible  to  those 
who  are  dull  of  comprehension,  —  a  duty  so  much  the 
more  obligatory-  in  proportion  to  the  degree  of  their  in- 
sensibility or  lukewarmness  in  the  concerns  of  religion. 
As  the  whole  instruction  is  confined  rather  to  the  tone  of 
the  recitative  than  to  the  sense  of  the  words,  it  is  only 
by  singing  that  they  are  able  to  rehearse  detached  por- 
tions ;  for,  when  the}-  are  questioned  upon  any  distinct 
point,  the}'  cannot  join  two  words  together,  and  they 
possess  so  imperfect  an  idea  of  the  little  they  do  know, 
that,  when  they  are  asked  who  the  most  Holy  Trinity  is, 
they  sometimes  answer,  "The  priest,"  and  sometimes, 
"  The  Virgin  Mary  ;  "  and  when  they  are  urged  seriously 
to  listen  to  the  question,  they  change  the  answer,  being 


89 


always  inclined  to  admit  whatever  ma}'  be  said  to  them, 
even  if  it  were  the  most  ridiculous  jargon.  The  curate 
has  no  other  object  in  view  than  to  make  every  one  bring 
the  little  presents  required  ;  and  when  he  has  collected 
these  (which  consist  of  v.'hat  they  ma}'  happen  to  have), 
and  has  taken  a  note  of  those  ^ho  have  failed  to  bring 
anj',  in  order  afterwards  to  call  them  to  account,  he 
thinks  he  is  discharged  from  any  farther  obligation. 
This  method  of  teaching  the  Indians  is  so  common  in  all 
the  villages,  that,  even  in  those  whose  curates  are  the 
most  exemplary,  no  other  is  practised. 

In  like  manner,  there  is  upon  every  plantation  another 
blind  Indian,  who  is  supported  by  the  charity  of  the 
planter  for  the  same  object.  The  Indians  are  collected 
two  or  three  daN's  in  the  week  in  the  farm-3-ard,  usually 
at  three  in  the  morning,  so  as  not  to  lose  time  from  the 
■work  the}-  have  to  perform  through  the  day.  They  repeat 
the  same  pra3-ers,  precisel}'  as  is  observed  in  the  church  ; 
but  the  ceremony  is  accompanied  neither  by  preaching, 
nor  by  any  effort  whatever  to  explain  the  mysteries  of 
the  faith. 

The  eagerness  of  the  curate  to  celebrate  all  the  church 
festivals  is  attended  with  consequences  of  a  most  perni- 
cious character,  as  we  have  often  had  occasion  to  jvitness  ; 
for,  at  the  close  of  the  church  festivity,  that  of  the 
"masters  of  ceremonies"  comes  in  course,  and,  being 
made  to  consist  of  their  common  orgies,  which  are  to 
intoxicate  themselves  with  the  drink  of  chicha,  the}'  not 
only  effect  their  own  ruin,  by  consuming  the  scanty 
allowance  of  maize  on  which  they  depend  for  their  sup- 
port, but,  being  deprived  of  sense  and  reason,  fathers 
are  crowded  together  with  daughters,  brothers  with 
sisters,  without  distinction  of  sex,  and  without  respect 
to  relationship  or  regard  to  age.  The  curates  do  not  re- 
buke the  disorder,  on  account  of  the  gain  resulting  to 
them  from  the  celebration  ;  and,  as  it  is  the}'  who  furnish 
the  occasion  of  scandal,  it  is  necessary  for  them  to  toler- 
ate it,  or  to  pretend  (as  they  do)  not  to  be  aware  of  it. 
In  view  of  their  heinous  conduct  in  fomenting  and 
multiplying  occasions  of  oflence  among  the  Indians,  their 


90 


religion  does  not  resemble  the  Christian  any  more  than 
it  resembles  that  which  thej^  had  while  they  were  in  a 
state  of  paganism  ;  for,  if  we  examine  the  subject  with 
care,  it  will  be  found  that,  notwithstanding  the  nominal 
conversion  of  these  tribes,  the  progress  they  have  made 
in  knowledge  is  so  inconsiderable  that  it  will  be  difficult 
to  discover  any  difference  between  the  condition  in  which 
they  now  live  and  that  in  which  they  were  found  at  the 
period  of  the  conquest. 


91 


CHAPTER  V. 

Showing  that  the  Unwillinguess  of  the  Gentile  Indians  to  receivo 
the  Gospel  and  to  submit  to  the  Authority  of  the  Kings  of  Spiiiti 
is  to  be  attributed  to  the  Extreme  .Sufferings  of  the  Civilized 
Indians,  as  will  appear  from  the  Limited  Inliueuce  and  Par- 
tial Success  of  the  Catholic  Missions. 

By  examining  attentively  all  that  lias  been  said  in  the 
four  preceding  eliapters,  we  shall  see  the  reason  why  the 
unconverted  Indians  abhor  the  dominion  of  the  Span- 
iards, and  the  motives  which  incline  them  to  regard  with 
contempt  the  Catholic  faith,  in  which  it  is  proposed  to 
indoctrine  them,  inasmuch  as  they  look  upon  religion,  as 
the}'  are  taught  it,  as  the  instrument  used  to  bring  them 
under  the  cruel  yoke  of  despotism.  Under  this  convic- 
tion, it  is  not  strange  thatthe^-  should  appear  so  obstinate 
and  unwilling  to  receive  it,  when  they  have  before  them 
the  melancholy  spectacle  of  what  takes  place  in  respect 
to  the  converted  Indians  of  their  own  tribe  ;  nor  can  we 
wonder  that,  in  the  enjo3'ment  of  freedom,  they  should 
prefer  a  wandering,  uncertain,  and  barbarous  life  to  the 
comforts  of  a  social  condition  which  brings  them  to  the 
very  doors  of  servitude. 

It  was  one  of  the  principal  points  contained  in  our  in- 
structions that  we  should  inform  ourselves  of  the  places 
still  in  possession  of  savage  Indians,  their  pi'oximity  to 
our  settlements,  the  tribes  which  compose  them,  and  the 
difficulties  and  facilities  arising  from  their  genius  and 
habits  in  effecting  their  civilization.  In  the  present 
chapter  we  shall  merely  present  a  history  of  the  missions 
sustained  by  the  religious  orders  among  the  unconverted 
Indians  of  the  Province  of  C^uito,  of  which  we  possess 
sufTicient  knowledge  to  be  aljle  to  do  it  witli  the  accuracy 
which  the  suljject  demands,  giving  an  account  both  of 


92 


the  places  and  individuals  connected  with  each  of  the 
several  stations. 

We  ma}'  safely  affirm  that,  of  the  whole  extent  of 
South  America,  the  only  portion  peopled  by  the  Span- 
iards, and  in  which  there  are  towns  that  recognize  the 
government  of  the  king,  is  the  tract  comprised  between 
the  two  principal  chains  of  the  Andes  and  that  which 
reaches  from  tlie  western  chain  to  the  coast  of  the  South 
Sea  ;  and  it  should  be  observed,  that  in  these  there  are 
immense  tracts  which  are  entirely  uninhabited,  —  either 
because  the}'  form  spacious  pampas,  where  no  facilities 
exist  for  colonizing,  or  because  they  are  occupied  by 
savage  hoards,  which  have  never  been  conquered.  This 
is  the  case  along  the  coast  from  Arica  to  Valparaiso,  and 
from  Conception  to  Valdivia,  although  not  in  an  unbro- 
ken line,  but  in  most  of  the  principal  thoroughfares  of 
the  interior. 

The  Spanish  settlements  of  the  hill  country  reach 
eastwardly  as  far  as  the  western  declivities  of  the  eastern 
chain  of  the  Andes,  as  has  been  already  observed  in  the 
description  of  the  Province  of  Quito,  in  the  first  volume 
of  our  travels  ;  and  from  the  eastern  declivities  of  the 
same  chain  (a  wooded,  moist,  and  hot  country),  onward 
towards  the  east,  the  settlements  of  the  savage  Indians 
have  their  commencement,  and  they  are  situated  at  so 
short  a  distance  from  those  of  the  Spaniards,  that,  by 
merel}'  ascending  the  mountain  summits  (as  deer  hunters 
are  wont  to  do) ,  we  may  see  distinctl}'  the  smoke  of  the 
Indian  huts.  From  this  point  their  territory  extends  east- 
wardly till  it  meets  the  coasts  of  Brazil,  over  a  surface  of 
more  than  six  hundred  leagues. 

The  tribes  which  inhabit  all  those  tracts,  of  such  im- 
mense length  and  breadth,  are  very  numerous  ;  and  every 
village  has  a  distinct  language,  unlike  that  of  the  neigh- 
boring ones  ;  and,  although  in  general  there  may  not  be 
a  marked  difference  in  their  manners  and  customs,  some 
diversity  may  bo  noticed  among  them,  whether  it  be  in 
the  absurd  rites  of  their  idolatrous  worship,  or  in  the  sys- 
tem of  theii'  government,  or  in  their  general  character- 
istics. 


93 


Very  few  of  these  tribes  receive  missionaries,  and  the 
most  unyielding  are  those  who  are  situated  nearest  to 
the  Si)anish  settlements.  There  are  none,  however,  so 
obstinate  in  this  respect  as  those  who  have  been  guilty 
of  insurrection  and  murder ;  for,  as  the}'  live  in  appre- 
hension of  deserved  punishment,  there  are  no  means  ad- 
equate for  their  complete  subjugation.  The  same  takes 
place  with  the  insurrectionists  of  the  Spanish  settlements  ; 
and  in  these  an  additional  circumstance  obtains,  which  is 
that  of  esca[)ing  from  the  ill-treatment  they  have  suffered  ; 
hence  follows  the  immense  mischief  they  occasion,  by 
making  it  known  to  the  tribes  in  whom  they  are  merged, 
and  to  those  in  their  neighborhood,  that  they  may  learn 
to  abhor  even  the  name  of  Spaniard,  and  obstinately  re- 
sist the  introduction  of  the  Catholic  faith. 

We  cannot  deny  that  the  Indians,  being  naturally  in- 
clined to  indolence,  to  idolatr}',  and  to  everything  which 
accords  with  the  brutish  state  in  which  they  live,  —  for 
among  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  it  is  natural,  as  well 
as  a  matter  of  experience,  that  each  one  esteems  those 
customs,  manners,  and  religion  in  which  he  was  born  as 
the  best,  and  any  other  whatever  as  foreign  to  them, — 
we  cannot  deny,  we  sa^',  that  the}'  are  averse  to  it,  and 
will  not  accede  to  it  without  repugnance.  In  this  view  it 
not  only  ceases  to  be  strange  that  the  Indians  are  made 
to  receive  customs  so  distinct  from  those  to  which  they 
are  inured,  inasmuch  as  labor  stands  opposed  to  indo- 
lence, and  civilization  to  the  savage  state  ;  but  it  is 
worth}'  of  admiration  that,  without  encountering  great 
obstacles,  some  tribes  should  be  found  of  so  docile  dis- 
positions as  to  receive  missionaries  and  adopt  the  rites 
and  precepts  of  a  religion  which  obliges  them  to  abandon 
their  false  gods,  to  lay  aside  their  ancient  and  almost  con- 
naturalized  hal)its,  and  to  tear  themselves  av/ay  from  the 
superstition  and  sorcery  with  which  the  infernal  s[)irit  has 
beguiled  tlicm,  the  more  effectually  to  reduce  them  to  hope- 
less bondage. 

Inasmuch  as  hatred  and  opposition  to  any  other  laws, 
human  or  divine,  diverse  from  those  established  among 
them,  are  characteristic  of  all  nations,  as  is  also  a  fixed 


94 

purpose  not  to  abandon  their  ancient  customs,  we  shall 
lay  it  down  as  granted,  that,  of  the  two  circumstances 
which  render  the  reduction  of  the  Indians  difficult,  this 
holds  the  first  place,  and  we  are  to  regard  it  as  natural 
and  general  among  them,  and  not  as  being  limited  to  any 
one  tribe  ;  the  second  is,  the  ill-treatment  they  are  ex- 
posed to  by  becoming  subject  to  the  Spaniards,  after 
they  have  been  conquered.  Even  without  this  circum- 
stance, that  of  forcing  them  out  of  a  loitering,  idle,  and 
easy  life,  to  inure  them  to  another  which  is  laborious  and 
constrained,  would  of  itself  suffice  to  create  repugnance 
on  their  part  to  the  exchange,  although  they  should  suffer 
no  ill-treatment  from  the  Spaniards.  All  these  circum- 
stances together  conspire  to  render  the  instruction  of  the 
Indians  difficult ;  and  to  make  them  regard  the  Christian 
religion  with  little  esteem,  and  even  with  aversion,  it 
being  the  first  step  in  the  ladder  by  which  they  ascend 
to  the  theatre,  of  their  labors  and  sufferings. 

It  is  not  to  be  inferred  that  the  reason  why  all  the 
tribes  of  Gentile  Indians  have  not  had  missionaries  is, 
that  they  have  refused  to  receive  them  ;  b\it  it  is  also  be- 
cause no  effort  has  been  made  to  introduce  them.  In 
some  portions,  the  cause  may  be  found  in  the  great  dis- 
tance of  those  parts  from  the  mountain-chain,  which 
keeps  the  Spaniards  in  ignorance  of  them  ;  in  others,  it 
is  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  brokenness  of  the  country 
and  unhealthiness  of  the  climate  make  it  undesirable  ex- 
cept to  those  who  are  brought  up  from  infancy  in  those 
latitudes.  At  the  same  time,  we  have  no  doubt  that 
missions  might  be  undertaken  and  sustained,  should  a 
settlement  be  once  commenced  ;  and  that  such  articles 
might  be  raised  as  are  adapted  to  the  climate,  as  is  the 
case  in  others  which  are  as  warm  and  moist  as  those 
which  have  continued  unknown  until  the  present  time. 
The  only  districts  where  missions  are  found  even  now 
are  those  which  are  best  known  on  account  of  their 
proximity  to  the  mountain-chain,  or  to  the  banks  of  the 
largest  rivers,  as  we  find  to  be  the  case  on  the  Marauon  ; 
and  there  are  very  few  even  of  these  that  have  mission- 
aries, the  Indians  not  being  willing  to  receive  them,  be- 


95 


cause  they  entertain  a  strong  prejudice  against  civiliza- 
tion, in  consequence  of  what  tliey  liave  heard  of  the 
sufferings  of  the  conquered  tribes. 

The  Gentile  tribes  bordering  on  the  Province  of  Quito 
are  so  numerous  that  the  missions  there  established  are 
proportionally-  few,  and  the  religious  orders  who  conse- 
crate themselves  to  them  with  evangelic  zeal  are  still 
fewer ;  for,  with  the  exception  of  the  Jesuits'  order, 
who  have  for  nianj'  years  sustained  the  mission  of  May- 
nas,  all  the  others  either  have  no  missions,  or  keep  np  a 
station  here  and  there,  which  is  barely  enough  to  serve 
as  an  apology  for  calling  over  missionaries,  the  latter 
being  afterwards  employed  for  the  private  ends  and 
emolument  of  the  order  itself;  for  it  is  never  known  that 
thc}^  go  to  preach  and  spread  the  gospel  among  the 
heathen.  This  is  so  general,  that  there  is  no  religious 
order  which  does  not  adopt  the  same  course,  for  it  is 
also  the  practice  of  the  Jesuits  ;  so  that,  of  every  twenty 
indiAiduals  who  go  from  Spain,  there  is  scarce^  one,  or 
at  most  two,  who  join  the  mission,  because  the  order  it- 
self does  not  appropriate  a  greater  number  for  this  ser- 
vice. It  is  true  that  the  order  of  Jesuits  sustains  a 
greater  number  of  stations  among  the  Gentile  Indians 
than  any  other  order :  but  the  number  it  retains  per- 
manently in  the  colleges  is  not  less  on  this  account  than 
those  retained  by  the  former ;  but,  on  the  contrarj^  far 
exceeds  that  of  the  others,  —  which  arises  from  the  fact 
that  they  send  for  missionai'ies  more  frequently,  and  re- 
ceive a  greater  number  of  them  by  every  arrival  from 
Spain. 

In  Spain,  it  is  generally  supposed  (and  the  same  opin- 
ion obtains  in  the  convents  themselves)  that  the  mission- 
aries who  go  to  the  Indies  are  to  proceed  immediately  to 
the  conversion  of  tlie  natives  :  and  many  of  them,  full  of 
zeal  for  the  propagation  of  the  faith,  offer  to  go  and  con- 
nect themselves  with  the  missions  ;  but,  as  this  does  not 
take  place,  they  are  disappointed  when  they  arrive 
there,  finding  how  different  tlieir  situation  is  from  what 
they  had  anticipated,  and  that  it  is  impossible  ever  to 
get  back   again.     The   case  with  the  missionaries  who 


96 


are  sent  is,  that,  immediately  on  their  arrival  there,  they 
are  distributed,  if  Jesuits,  in  the  colleges,  or,  if  of  other 
orders,  which  use  rotation,  in  the  convents  of  all  the  prov- 
inces :  and  some  devoting  themselves  to  professorships, 
others  to  the  pulpit,  others  to  attorneyships,  and  others 
to  the  management  of  the  farms,  precisely'  as  is  practised 
in  Spain,  they  keep  them  employed  in  these  functions,  or 
exchange  them,  by  transferring  them  from  some  to  othei's, 
but  always  for  the  benefit  of  the  convents.  Hence  it  ap- 
pears that  the  only  proper  object  of  missionaries  and  mis- 
sions is  that  which  is  least  thought  of;  for,  when  the  lim- 
ited number  of  stations  which  compose  the  mission  is 
fimaished  with  curates,  it  is  only  when  one  dies,  or  an- 
other wishes  to  retire,  burdened  with  the  weight  of  years, 
that  a  substitute  is  appointed  in  his  place,  and  a  long 
period  frequently  elapses  without  the  occurrence  of 
either  event. 

Preaching  to  the  heathen  not  being  the  object  of  the 
appeal  made  by  the  orders  to  send  missionaries  to  the 
Indies,  they  must  necessarily  have  some  other  in  view, 
which  will  result  in  some  advantage  ;  for,  if  it  were  not 
so,  they  would  not  run  into  the  expense  incurred  on  their 
own  account  (besides  what  is  contributed  from  the  royal 
exchequer)  if  they  could  avail  it,  and  this  is  the  point 
which  we  are  going  to  elucidate. 

The  orders  which  practise  rotation  in  all  the  offices  be- 
longing to  them  must  necessarily  avail  themselves  of  emi- 
grants from  Europe  ;  for  otherwise  they  would  be  liable 
to  lose  their  immunities  :  and,  having  no  other  pretext  for 
bringing  them  over,  they  lay  hold  of  that  of  the  missions 
as  the  most  plausible  ;  but  as  this  measure  has  no  refer- 
ence to  Creoles,  agents  are  always  sent  to  invite  missiona- 
ries, when  the  office  devolves  in  course  upon  a  European  ; 
and,  as  a  small  number  of  emigrants  suffice  for  this  object 
the  orders  limit  themselves  to  these,  with  the  exception  of 
the  Jesuits,  whose  objects  are  distinct,  being  entirely  con- 
fined to  their  own  order.  These  are  to  preserve  an  equili- 
brium in  all  the  colleges  between  Europeans  and  Creoles, 
and  to  make  the  good  habits  and  education  of  the  former 
to  predominate  over  the  bad  ones  acquired  from  childhood 


97 


b}^  the  latter,  in  order  that  the  colleges  may  not  decline 
from  that  high  standard  of  discipline  which  is  peculiar  to 
the  Jesuits,  botli  in  Spain  and  in  all  Catholic  kingdoms, 
or  wherever  their  order  extends  :  and  that  they  may  em- 
ploy Europeans  to  manage  the  revenue  of  the  colleges 
with  proper  diligence,  fidelit}',  and  econom}',  as  there  are 
few  Creoles  in  whom  these  circumstances  concur  ;  hence 
they  are  unfit  for  offices  of  trust,  neither  can  the}^  be  em- 
plo3'ed  in  the  missions,  their  conduct  not  being  of  a  nature 
to  qualify  them  for  such  a  charge. 

In  the  j-ear  1744,  when  we  are  about  taking  leave  of 
those  countries,  one  of  the  Jesuit  missions  arrived  at 
Quito,  having  lately  come  from  Spain  ;  and  it  was  com- 
posed of  a  large  number  of  individuals.  The}^  were 
persuaded  that,  immediately  on  their  arrival,  they  should 
be  appointed  to  go  among  the  Gentile  Indians,  to  engage 
in  preaching  the  gospel ;  and,  finding  that  no  such 
measures  were  adopted,  the}'  soon  began  to  make  known 
their  dissatisfaction,  which  had  reached  such  a  degree, 
that,  if  they  had  had  means  of  returning  to  Spain, 
scarcely  one  would  have  consented  to  remain.  They 
said,  that  in  case  the^'  were  to  continue  in  the  colleges,  it 
would  be  more  agreeable  and  advantageous  to  them  to 
do  so  in  Spain  ;  so  great  was  their  disappointment  on 
discovering  how  far  they  were  from  securing  the  object 
proposed  to  them  when  they  resolved  to  proceed  to  the 
Indies  ;  and  the  same  may  be  affirmed  of  all  the  rest, 
until,  in  the  lapse  of  time,  the^'  become  accustomed  to 
the  country-,  and  lose  their  zeal  for  the  conversion  of  the 
Indians. 

All  the  missions  scattered  over  the  vast  Province  of 
Quito  are  confined  to  those  of  the  Jesuits  on  the  river 
Maranon,  and  five  settlements  belonging  to  the  order  of 
St.  Francis,  about  the  head-waters  of  the  river  lea  in 
Sucumbios  ;  but  neither  those  of  the  Jesuits,  nor  of  the 
Seraphic  ordei",  have  priests  in  all  tlie  settlements,  as 
they  ought  to  have.  But  tliat  this  statement  may  be 
made  more  circumstantial,  we  sliall  avail  ourselves  of  a 
report  drawn  up  by  Dr.  James  Peralta,  curate  of  the 
parish  of  St.  IJarbara,  in  the  year  1745,  which  is  the 

6 


98 


most  complete  and  accurate  that  has  been  made  since 
the  origin  of  those  missions,  and  the  most  instructive, 
as  it  makes  us  acquainted  with  their  present  condition. 

The  Seraphic  order  have  only  five  towns  in  tiie  mis- 
sions of  Sucumbios ;  namely,  St.  Michael,  St.  Joseph, 
St.  James  of  the  Palmars,  Yaunque,  and  Nariguera ; 
and  these  missions  belong  to  the  department  of  Pasto, 
although  dependent  on  the  government  of  the  Audience 
of  Quito. 

Tlie  missions  of  the  company  commence  from  the  city 
of  Archidona,  whose  curacy  belonged  to  the  clergy,  and 
was  exchanged  by  them  for  one  owned  by  the  company 
in  the  forests  of  the  Province  of  Guayaquil.* 

*  1.  The  cnracy  of  Archidona  has  three  others  annexed  to  it, 
each  at  the  distance  of  six  or  seven  leagues  from  that  city  :  and 
they  are  Misagualli,  inhabited  by  Siiauiards,  mestizoes,  and 
negroes  ;  Teua  and  Xapo,  both  inhabited  by  Indians. 

2.  Mission  of  St.  Michael  of  Siecoyas.  The  Indians  of  this 
town  rose  upon  thefatlier  missionary  ;  and,  on  the  9tli  of  Janu- 
ary, 1745,  put  him  to  death,  and  afterwards  burued  him,  with  two 
other  youths  which  he  had  associated  with  him.  The  name  of 
this  priest  was  Francis  Eeal ;  and  he  had  under  his  charge, 
besides  the  i)rincipal  village,  in  which  he  constantly  resided, 
six  other  towns,  the  names  of  which  are,  St.  Bartholomew,  of 
Moya,  St.  Peter,  St.  Estanislaus,  St.  Luis,  St.  Croix,  and  Emma- 
nuel de  Aguarico.  All  these  towns  take  their  name  from  the 
river  Aguarico,  on  the  banks  of  which  they  are  situated.  la 
these  six  annexed  towns  there  were  only  2,063  persons,  of  both 
sexes,  and  of  every  age;  1,628  converts  and  43.5  catechumens: 
and,  although  they  were  acquainted  with  the  atrocious  crime 
committed  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  j)rincipal  village,  they 
would  not  imitate  their  bad  example ;  but,  on  the  contrary, 
waited  quietly  in  their  villages  until  a  new  missionary  should 
be  sent  to  them,  intimating  that  they  regarded  with  horror  the 
sacrilegious  deed  of  the  other  Indians.  This  missionary  was 
one  of  those  who  had  arrived  at  Quito  with  the  last  mission, 
which  had  come  from  Spain  ;  and  being  ignorant  of  tlie  genius, 
habits,  and  pectiliarities  of  the  Indians,  was  wanting  in  that 
kind  of  authority  which  that  tribe  demands,  in  order  not  to  ex- 
asperate by  reproof,  nor  to  be  too  severe  in  endeavoring  to 
rescue  them  from  the  barbarous  customs  and  vices  which  have 
become  to  them  a  second  nature. 

3.  Mission  of  St.  Joseph  of  Guajoya.  Its  rector,  Father  Pie- 
tragrosa,  had  under  his  charge,  besides  the  principal  village, 
named  Mary,  three  others  of  St.  Xavier  de  Icahuates,  St.  John 
the  Baptist,  and   the  Queen  of  the  Angels,  in  which,  as  the 


99 


The  result  of  our  inquiries  is,  that  the  missions  of 
Maynas  and  Quixos,  which  are  under  the  charge  of  the 
company,  consist  of  40  settlements,  and  employ  in  them 
18  missionaries,  17  priests  and  1  assistant;  comprising 
in  all  12,853  souls,  —  9,858  baptized,  and  2,931)  cate- 
chumens. It  is  certain  that  many  of  these  towns,  which 
are    annexed   to   one   diocese,   might   need   a   separate 

settlements  had  been  recently  formed,  a  brother  of  the  company 
resided,  whoso  namo  was  Salvador  Sanchez,  to  teach  the  Indians 
to  pray,  and  to  instruct  them  in  Christian  doctrine. 

4.  Mission  under  the  chai'ge  of  Perez  —  St.  Xavier  de  Ura- 
rines,  likewise  a  settlement  recently  formed.  The  following  are 
the  old  stations  of  Maynas  on  the  Kiver  Maraiion  : — 

5.  Mission  of  St.  Francis  de  Borja,  capital  of  the  government 
of  Maynas,  so  depopulated  as  to  consist  of  only  143  souls,  of 
both  sexes,  and  of  every  age,  and  65  Spaniards  besides.  It  has 
annexed  to  it  the  towns  of  St.  Ignatius,  of  Maynas,  and  the 
upper  Andoas.     Father  Magnori  is  the  curate. 

6.  Mission  of  St.  Thomas  of  Andoa,  under  the  charge  of 
Father  Fransen,  with  the  towns  of  Semigaes  and  St.  Joseph,  of 
Pinches. 

7.  Mission  of  Concepcion  of  Cahuapanas,  under  the  care  of 
Father  Francis  Hem. 

8.  Mission  of  the  Presentacion  of  Chayavitas  and  the  Encar- 
nacion  de  Paranapuas,  under  the  charge  of  Father  Ignatius 
Falcon. 

9.  Mission  of  the  Concepcion  de  Xibaros,  under  the  parochial 
charge  of  Fatlier  Michael. 

10.  Mission  of  St.  Jago  de  Laguna,  under  the  care  of  Father 
Schcftcn,  who  had  for  his  associate  William  Gremez.  Tliis 
town,  being  the  head-quarters  of  the  mission,  contains  1,107 
souls. 

11.  Mission  of  St.  Xavier  of  Chamicuros  and  St.  Anthony 
Abad  d«  Aguanos.  both  under  the  care  of  Father  Bamonte. 

\2.  Mission  of  our  Lady  de  las  Nieves  do  Juriniagas,  St. 
Anthony  de  Padua  de  Nainiches,  and  St.  Francis  Kexis  del 
Paradero,  nndrr  the  care  of  Leonard  Deubler. 

1$.  Mission  of  St.  Joaquin  de  Laqueran  Homagua ;  missionary, 
Adam  Widman. 

14.  Missicm  of  St.  Paul  of  Napanos;  missionary.  Father 
Iriarte. 

U).  Mission  of  St.  Philip  of  Amaona;  missionary,  Father 
Ilcrraez. 

16.  Mission  of  St.  Simon  of  Nahuapo;  missionary,  Father 
Aranjo. 

17.  Mission  of  St.  Ignatius  of  Pcvas  and  Caumares ;  mis- 
eiouary.  Father  Falcombeli. 


100 


missionary  for  their  support  and  greater  advancement : 
but,  notwithstanding  this  want  of  missionaries,  tliese 
stations  are  in  a  better  condition,  beyond  comparison, 
than  those  of  vSt.  Francis  ;  for  the  persons  destined  for 
these  missions  by  the  companj^  constantly  reside  in  the 
benefices,  and  frequently  A'isit  those  that  are  annexed ; 
their  churches  and  chapels  are  in  good  order,  and  the 
decorations,  although  not  of  much  value,  are  neat  and 
well-made.  There  we  see  displayed  Christian  zeal  and 
diligence,  and  great  solemnit}'  in  the  celebration  of  public 
worship.  It  is  not  so  in  the  mission  villages  of  Sucnm- 
bios,  belonging  to  the  Seraphic  order ;  for  the  priests 
reside  there  but  a  short  period,  the  churches  are  wholly 
out  of  repair,  and  in  a  dilapidated  condition ;  their 
priests  do  not  minister  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  the  Ind- 
ians, and,  owing  to  the  entire  absence  of  religious  fervor, 
instead  of  making  progress,  they  are  in  a  retrograde 
condition. 

Having  spoken  already  of  the  missions  of  Ma3'nas,  it 
would  be  unjust  to  overlook  their  origin,  and  the  progress 
the  company  has  made  in  them,  especially  as  the  history 
of  them  will  confirm  what  we  have  said  on  this  subject. 

A  Portuguese  fleet,  consisting  of  fort3'-seven  large 
guns,  commanded  by  Captain  Texcira,  having  ascended 
the  Maranon,  the  Audience  of  Quito  determined  that,  on 
their  return  to  Para,  whence  the}'  had  proceeded  for  the 
purpose  of  discovering  the  course  of  that  river,  two  of 
the  father  Jesuits  should  go  down  with  them,  in  order 
to  examine  those  territories  more  minutely,  ascertain  by 
what  tril3es  they  are  inhabited,  and  notice  other  partic- 
ulars which  should  contribute  to  a  better  knowledge  of 
their  condition.  The  company,  whose  attention  had 
been  for  many  years  directed  to  the  discovery  of  that 
vast  countrj-,  with  a  view  to  extend  the  religion  of  Jesus 
Christ  among  the  many  barbarous  tribes  which  inhabit  it, 
accepted  the  charge  with  great  satisfaction,  and  named 
Fathers  Acuua  and  Artieda  for  this  object. 

It  was  on  the  18th  of  October.  1G37,  that  the  Portu- 
guese fleet  left  the  neighborhood  of  Para,  and  it  employed 
eight  months  in  reaching  the  port  of  Payamino,  which 


101 


was  their  first  stopping-place,  in  the  Province  of  Quixos. 
Captain  Texeira,  leaving  his  crew  there,  with  the  greater 
part  of  the  naval  force,  proceeded  to  Quito  with  some  of 
his  oflici^rs,  and  there  gave  an  account  of  his  vo^-age  ; 
and,  as  soon  as  the  fathers  appointed  b}'  the  conipan}', 
and  approved  by  the  Audience,  could  get  ready,  ihoy  all 
left  Quito  on  the  IGth  of  February,  1G39,  and,  taking  the 
roa'l  through  Archidona,  went  to  join  the  fleet  at  the 
port  of  Payamino,  where  it  had  remained. 

Jesuit  missionaries  had  already  been  stationed  on  the 
Marauon, — only,  however,  in  the  vicinit}'  of  its  head- 
waters ;  for  the  Prince  of  Esquilache  being  then  Viceroy 
of  Peru,  the  administration  of  Ma^'uas  was  given  to  Don 
Diego  Vaca  during  his  lifetime,  and  afterwards  to  his 
eldest  son,  Don  Pedro  Vaca.  This  gentleman  had  solic- 
ited and  effected  the  conquest  of  those  countries  at  his 
own  expense  ;  and,  after  having  subdued  the  tribe  of 
Maynas,  and  founded  the  cit}'  of  St.  Francis  de  Boya,  in 
the  3-ear  IGoi,  making  it  the  capital  of  his  domain,  he 
was  induced  b}^  such  an  auspicious  commencement  to 
implore  the  company  and  the  Audience  of  Quito  to  nomi- 
nate persons  of  that  order  to  enter  upon  the  mission ; 
which  was  granted  him  with  great  pleasure,  both  bj'  the 
court  as  well  as  by  the  company,  and  Fathers  Cuxia  and 
Cueva  were  immediately  ap'pointed  to  found  a  missionary 
station.  The  missionaries  arrived  at  Maynas  in  the  3'ear 
1G37,  b}-  the  way  of  Patate  ;  and,  as  soon  as  the}'  reached 
the  city  of  Borja,  they  took  charge  of  that  curacy,  and 
began  to  exercise  their  functions  b}'  instructing  the  Ind- 
ians alread}'  reduced,  and  endeavoring  to  reduce  all  the 
rest  of  the  tribe  who  were  not  3'et  civilized. 

After  suffering  great  hardships.  Fathers  Acuna  and 
Artieda  arrived  safely  at  the  port  where  the  Portuguese 
fleet  was  waiting  for  them  ;  and  reached  that  city  the 
same  3'ear,  in  December,  1G30,  after  ten  months'  journc}' 
1)3'  land  and  by  water.  After  having  rested  from  the 
fatigue  they  had  undergone,  the3^  set  sail  for  Spain,  in 
order  to  inform  his  Majesty  of  cver3'thing  that  had 
occurrcfl  in  tlie  discovery,  and  of  all  the  observations 
tbc')^   had   made.     In    10 10    the}'  readied   the    court  of 


102 


JNIadrid  ;  and,  having  made  a  representation  of  what  they 
had  seen,  and  having  waited  there  more  than  a  year  to 
sohcit  supphes  for  that  extensive  conquest,  the}-  could 
not  secure  their  object,  because  the  state  of  anarchy  in 
Spain,  which  had  resulted  from  riots  connected  with  the 
rebellion  of  the  kingdom  of  Portugal,  naturally  occupied 
the  thought  and  demanded  the  attention  of  the  monarch 
and  his  ministers.     The  Jesuit  fathers,  finding  how  diffi- 
cult it  was  to  obtain  what  they  wished  on  an  occasion  so 
critical  that  it  allowed  no  time  for  anything  but  to  pre- 
pare an  army  to  check  the  encroachments  of  the  rebels, 
Father  Artieda  determined  to  leave  the  court,  and  to  re- 
turn to  his  Province  of  Quito,  there  to  give  impulse  to 
the  mission,  through  the  Audience  and  his  college,  in 
whom  he  confided  all  his  hopes.     In  the  year  1643  he  re- 
turned to  Quito.    He  gained  the  attention  of  the  college  ; 
and,  with  a  view  to  inspire  greater  fervor  in  the  work,  he 
again  made  a  tour  to  the  Maranon,  and,  passing  through 
the  capital  of  Maynas,  took  with  him  Father  Cueva,  his 
assistant  Borja,  and  several  soldiers,  with  whom  he  pene- 
trated  among   the   tribe   of  Omaguas,  and   took   legal 
possession  of  all  that  province  and  river  in  the  name  of 
the  Catholic  king,  Phihp  IV.,  as  is  stated  in  the  report  of 
Father  Francis  Figueroa,  a  member  of  the  Jesuit  order. 
Father  Acuiaa  thought  it  proper  to  continue  some  time 
at   court,  to   see   if  haply  the   insurrections   might   be 
quelled,  and  his  solicitations  and  appeals  might  produce 
a  favorable   result:    but  finding  that  the  tumults  were 
augmenting   more   and  more,  and  the  progress  of  the 
rebels   was   giving   the   court  still   greater   anxiety,  he 
resolved  to  follow  his  companion  in  the  galleys  which 
sailed  soon  after  ;  and,  having  proceeded  from  Panama  to 
Lima,  to  which   city  he   was   called   by  business  of  a 
different  nature,  he  died  there. 

As  the  first  missionaries  who  penetrated  into  Maynas, 
for  the  purpose  of  preaching  to  the  Indians,  found  so 
much  fruit  in  the  conversion  of  those  tribes  that  their 
strength  was  not  adequate  to  such  a  conquest,  the  Ind- 
ians having  received  the  gospel  without  repugnance, 
they  applied  to  Quito  to  have  new  associates  named  to 


103 


aid  them  to  gather  in  such  a  harvest  as  was  likelv  to  result 
from  the  doeiUty  of  those  Indians,  and  the  readiness 
the}'  manifested  to  become  Christians.  Their  petition 
was  so  reasonable  that  it  could  not  fail  to  be  heard  ;  and, 
in  consequence  of  it,  the  College  of  Quito  named  Fathers 
Perez  and  Figueroa  ;  but  this  re-enforcement  not  sullicing 
for  the  great  harvest  produced  in  those  countries  from 
the  seed  of  the  gospel.  Father  Cnxia  was  compelled  to 
proceed  in  person  to  Quito,  in  the  3'ear  1650,  to  ask  for 
new  laborers.  The  College  of  Quito  granted  him  three 
in  addition,  and  he  returned  with  them  to  his  station  ; 
where,  being  in  all  seven  in  number,  and  spreading 
themselves  over  those  provinces  of  Gentile  Indians,  it 
was  admirable  to  witness  the  vast  number  of  souls 
brought  to  the  knowledge  of  the  true  God  by  dint  of 
their  labor,  and  the  fatigue  and  inconveniences  of  their 
travels,  and  the  dangers  to  which  they  were  every 
moment  exposed  in  attempting  to  rescue  them  from  such 
ignorance  and  blindness. 

In  the  year  IGGG  they  had  already  formed  thirteen 
large  settlements,  well  peopled  with  Indians  who  had 
been  converted ;  and  for  this  purpose  they  brought 
together  several  of  those  wandering  tribes,  on  whose 
account  they  gave  to  the  settlements  the  names  of  the 
most  numerous.* 

These  thirteen  towns,  large  and  populous  as  they 
were,  had  onl}'  seven  missionaries  ;  and  it  was  natural 
that  each  one  should  have  its  special  missionary',  to  be 
constantly  resident  in  it:  but,  as  they  were  destitute  of 
them,  besides  being  distant  from  each  other  six,  eight, 
and  even  more  leagues,  we  cannot  fail  to  perceive  the 
sim})lieity  and  sinceritj'  of  those  Indians,  and  the  facilit}' 
with  which  they  are  induced  to  com[)ly  with  whatever 
may  be  required  of  them,  when  once  we  discover  the 
method  best  adapted  to  their  genius  to  introduce  them 
to  the  rites  of  the  Christian  religion  and  the  customs  of 

*Tli(;  names  of  tho  8ettlem<;iits  arc  as  follows:  Xcveros,  Para- 
l)a(l(!(iu<'s,  Ata;fiiatcs,  Ciitinanas,  ({iia!la,i;a,  Loroto  do  Paraiia- 
pnras,  Ucayale,  IJaibudos,  Agiiaiios,  Koa-xMuyuas,  ISau  Autouio, 
Zapas,  Coronados. 


104 


civilized  life  by  channels  which  are  best  suited  to  their 
ideas.  The  old  Christian  settlements  require  to  have 
each  a  special  parish  priest  for  the  spiritual  nourishment 
of  those  who  compose  them  ;  and  with  far  more  reason  is 
this  measure  necessary  in  the  new,  because  these  are 
more  exposed  to  perish  in  inconstancy  and  unbelief, 
their  own  imagination  perhaps  bringing  to  mind  the  in- 
dependence of  which  they  had  deprived  themselves  to 
receive  the  gospel, — their  ancient  rites,  and  the  freedom 
in  which  thc}^  lived,  without  submitting  either  to  divine 
or  human  law  ;  the  restraints  of  civilized  life,  the  pre- 
cepts of  religion,  and  the  observance  of  laws  and  customs 
wholly  opposed  to  those  which  are  natural  to  them,  pre- 
senting themselves  to  the  minds  of  these  Indians  as  un- 
congenial and  burdensome.  The  want  of  missionaries 
in  these  new  conversions  of  the  Marauon  should  not  be 
attributed  to  the  Jesuits  ;  for  all  that  this  order  did  previ- 
ously was  at  its  own  expense,  having  no  other  resources 
but  those  of  their  own  revenue  to  defray  the  expenses 
incurred  by  these  missions  ;  and,  besides  this,  there  were 
very  few  missionaries  sent  over  from  Spain  until  that 
time,  either  because  this  order  had  no  occasion  to  do  it, 
and  because  the  supply  had  not  been  furnished  with  as 
much  regularity  as  afterwards, —  not  that  a  re-enforcement 
was  not  sent  at  all,  but  because  the^-  arrived  after  longer 
intervals,  or  were  composed  of  a  smaller  number  of  in- 
dividuals,—  reasons  which  did  not  obtain  in  subsequent 
times,  nor  do  they  now  obtain  ;  for,  on  account  of  the 
early  spiritual  conquests  made  by  the  company,  mission- 
aries were  sent  over  more  frequently  and  in  greater 
numbers. 

In  the  3-ear  1G81,  fifteen  years  after  the  census  of  the 
first  conversions,  the  settlements  had  augmented  with 
the  addition  of  eight  new  towns,  but  not  so  the  number  of 
missionaries,  although  in  the  interval  of  these  fifteen 
3^ears  many  missionaries  had  proceeded  from  Spain  to 
Quito,  and  quite  enough  to  have  those  missions  supplied 
with  laborers.  B}'  the  catalogue  which  follows  we  shall 
come  to  a  knowledge  of  the  settlements  formed  of  con- 


105 


verted  ludians  until  this  year,  and  the  number  of  mis- 
sionaries appointed  to  take  charge  of  tliem.* 

The  result,  then,  is  :  that  all  the  missions  of  Maynas 
■were  then  composed  of  twentj'-one  settlements ;  and,  as 
Father  Rodriguez  sa^-s  in  his  history  of  the  Marauon 
and  Amazons,  there  were  only  four  missionaries  in  them, 
which  are  those  already  named,  and  all  who  had  been 
employed  from  the  3"ear  1G38,  in  which  they  had  their 
first  establishment,  until  the  beginning  of  1G81,  in  which 
that  station  was  commenced  by  missionaries  going 
among  those  tribes,  were  twentj-four  fathers  of  the 
compan}',  and  three  lay  brethren,  of  whom  nearly'  all 
died. 

The  tribe  of  Omagua  Indians,  which  was  one  of  the 
most  numerous  that  inhabited  the  valley  of  the  Maranon, 
had  despatched  messengers  to  the  town  of  the  Lagoon, 
in  the  year  1681,  entreating  Father  Lucero,  at  that  time 
superior  of  those  stations,  to  send  them  missionaries  ; 
because,  in  consequence  of  the  kind  treatment  of  the 
other  tribes,  which  had  become  subject  to  them,  and  the 
advantages  they  enjo3'ed  after  having  been  brought 
under  a  system  of  government  so  wise  and  just,  they 
desired  to  add  their  tribe  to  the  number,  to  enjo}'^  the 
same  benefits,  and,  with  them,  the  preaching  of  evan- 
gelical doctrine  :  but  the  missions  were  so  destitute  of 
laborers  that  they  had  not  the  number  sufficient  to  sup- 
ply the  settlements  already  formed,  and  it  was  impossible 
at  that  time  to  accede  to  their  request.  All  that  the 
superior  could  do  was  to  give  them  reason  to  hope  that, 
on  the  arri\al  of  the  first  supply  of  missionaries,  their 
wishes  should  be  complied  with,  some  one  of  them  being 
appointed  to  take  them  under  their  charge,  acting  their 
curate  ;  which  was  not  carried  into  eflect  until  the  year 

*  Firnt  M'tHHion.  —  1.  Sun   Luis   Goiizaga;   2.  Sau  Ignacio ;  3. 
iaiita  T(;r<;.sa. 


Santa  T(;r<;.sa. 

Second  Mix.slon.  —  1.  Roa-Maynas ;  2.  Loa  Coronados ;  '^.  Gayos. 

Third  Minsio)!.  —  1.  Xevcros ;  2.  rarauapuras ;  3.  Cliayavitas; 
4.  Miuiichcs. 

Fourth  AFifinion. —  1.  Ucayales ;  2.  Xitipos  y  Cliipcos;  3. 
Tibilos  ;  4.  Aguauos;  5.  Guallaga;  G.  Maiapiuas;  7.  Mayuru- 
nas;  8.  Otauabis. 


lOG 


1686,  when  a  mission,  composed  of  many  individuals, 
having  arrived  from  Spain  to  Quito,  some,  although  few 
In  number,  were  appointed  to  lighten  the  burdens  of 
those  who  were  already  in  the  worli  ;  and  one  of  the  in- 
dividuals so  appointed  was  Father  Samuel  Fritz,  a  native 
of  Bohemia,  to  whose  lot  it  fell  to  go  to  the  new  mission 
of  the  Ouiaguas  ;  for,  as  soon  as  these  Indians  had  in- 
telli<j:enee  that  new  missionaries  had  arrived  at  the  La- 
goon,  and  that  one  of  them  was  disposed  to  come  down 
to  their  territory,  they  went  forward  to  receive  him,  and 
ascended  with  more  than  thirty  canoes  as  far  as  the 
Lagoon,  in  order  to  escort  him  to  their  country. 

Father  Viva  had  succeeded  Father  Lucero  in  the  office 
of  superior  of  the  stations  ;  and,  being  a  pei'son  of  ex- 
traordinary capacity  and  endowments,  as  soon  as  he  saw 
Father  Fritz,  he  formed  so  high  an  estimate  of  his  quali- 
ties, that  it  appeared  to  him  that  the  choice  could  not 
have  fallen  on  any  one  better  qualified  for  that  under- 
taking,—  an  opinion  the  wisdom  of  which  was  justified 
by  the  wonders  he  wrought,  in  a  short  time,  by  his 
preaching  and  instructions  among  those  tribes,  and 
several  others,  which  he  reduced  to  the  bosom  of  our 
Catholic  faith. 

It  may  be  readily  inferred  that,  in  a  tribe  who,  of  their 
own  accord,  applied  for  missionaries,  it  would  not  be 
necessary  to  toil  so  hard  in  order  to  draw  their  attention 
to  what  is  preached  to  them,  or  to  make  them  receive  in 
sincerity  the  religion  of  the  true  God,  in  which  they  are 
instructed,  as  it  is  in  those  other  tribes  in  which,  as  pre- 
paratory to  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  it  was  necessary 
to  contract  relations  of  friendship  by  going  to  look  for 
them  among  the  mountains,  forests,  and  hidden  ravines, 
where  they  are  scattered  like  wild  beasts.  As  soon  as 
the  Omaguas  were  in  the  presence  of  their  father,  re- 
garding him  as  the  redeemer  of  their  souls,  they  returned 
with  him  to  their  territory,  full  of  mirth  and  joy,  as  was 
abundantly  evident  by  the  festivities  with  which  they 
solemnized  the  occasion, — transferring  him,  for  this  pur- 
pose, from  one  canoe  to  another,  as  long  as  the  voyage 
up  the  river  continued.     As  soon  as  they  reached  the 


107 


first  outposts  within  their  jurisdiction,  thinking  it  un- 
suitable that  he  should  make  his  entry  on  foot,  they  vied 
with  each  other  in  bearing  him  on  their  shoulders,  in 
compan}'  with  the  most  distinguislied  personages  of  the 
suite  ;  and  in  the  midst  of  dances,  and  the  varied  music 
of  flutes,  pipes,  and  other  instruments,  after  their  stvle, 
they  took  him  out  of  the  canoe  on  their  arrival,  and  con- 
ducted him  to  the  quarters  which  they  had  in  readniess 
for  him  near  the  cabins.  After  some  days  of  rest  at 
that  outpost  (for  it  had  not  as  3'et  the  importance  of  a 
settlement),  they  proceeded  to  take  him  to  the  other 
islands  inhaT)ited  by  the  same  tribe  of  Omaguas,  which 
were  more  than  tliirt^',  that  they  might  all  know  him, 
and  begin  to  look  upon  him  as  their  shepherd.  And  in 
this  wa}'  that  great  mission  had  its  origin,  which  became 
so  prosperous,  that,  in  less  than  three  years,  almost  all 
the  adult  Indians  were  baptized,  being  already  capable 
of  receiving  baptism.  Father  Fritz  having  administered 
this  sacrament  from  the  beginning  to  all  the  children,  — 
the  latter  not  requiring  to  be  instructed  in  the  mysteries 
of  the  faith  in  childhood,  as  is  necessary  in  the  case  of 
adults. 

While  Father  Fritz  was  emplo3'ed  in  the  religious  in- 
struction of  the  Omagua  Indians,  he  received  intelligence 
of  some  neighboring  tribes  scattered  along  the  banks  of 
the  river,  as  the  Yurimagnas,  the  Ayzuares,  the  Baromas, 
and  others ;  and,  learning  that  the}'  would  not  refuse  to 
embrace  the  Catholic  religion,  proceeded  to  them,  and 
found  them  so  ready  to  receive  it  that  he  began  immedi- 
ately to  catechize  them,  in  order  to  administer  to  them 
the  rite  of  baptism.  So  great  was  the  success  that  at- 
tended these  missions,  that,  in  the  3'ear  1G89,  the  Omagua 
stations  were  tliirt3--eiglit  in  number  (the  capital  of  which 
was  San  Joaquin)  ;  another  belonged  to  the  Turimaguas, 
and  two  to  tlic  Ayzuari  tribe.  All  these  were  under  the 
charge  of  Father  Fritz  :  so  that,  as  he  himself  relates,  in 
his  private  report,  he  had  scarcely  time  suilicient  in  the 
course  of  a  year  to  make  one  visit  among  them  all,  and 
was  able  to  sojourn  witli  each  tril)c  only  long  enough  to 
instruct  the  adults,  and  to  baptize  those  who  had  been 


108 


born  since  his  last  visit.  All  the  remainder  of  the  year, 
those  Indians  were  left  to  live  alone,  without  any  other 
restraints  than  their  own  will,  which  was  so  well  inclined 
that  no  occasion  of  disturbance  ever  occurred  among 
them,  nor  did  they  abandon  the  religion  in  which  they 
had  been  instructed,  to  return  to  the  false  rites  of  Gen- 
tile superstition,  which  they  had  been  forbidden  to  prac- 
tise. 

Father  Fritz,  being  exhausted  by  the  fatigue  and  hard- 
ship consequent  on  a  life  of  continual  journeying  from 
one  settlement  to  another,  found  his  health  impaired  ;  and 
his  illness  increased  so  rapidl}'  as  to  make  it  necessary 
for  him  to  go  down  to  Para,  in  the  year  1G89,  to  take  the 
advice  of  the  ph3-sicians  of  that  cit3%  The  Portuguese 
suspected  that  his  illness  was  onl}^  a  pretext  for  making 
a  survey  of  all  the  remaining  valley  of  the  Maranon, 
from  the  mouth  of  Black  River  (the  boundary  of  his 
mission)  as  far  as  Para ;  and  consequently^  detained  him 
there,  after  he  had  recovered,  at  the  same  time  commu- 
nicating the  intelligence  to  the  court  of  Portugal.  The 
result  (which  was  as  favorable  to  Father  Fritz  as  could 
be  desired)  did  not  reach  Para  until  the  middle  of  the 
3-ear  1G91,  when  he  was  restored  to  the  mission.  The- 
Portuguese  government  appointed  an  officer  and  seven 
soldiers  to  accompany  him,  under  pretence  of  showing 
him  respect ;  and,  as  soon  as  they  entered  the  tribe  of  the 
Azuaiis,  Father  Fritz  wished  to  dismiss  them,  because 
those  Indians  had  discovered  a  friendly'  disposition 
towards  him  during  his  passage  down  the  river,  by  going 
up  to  meet  him.  The  soldiers  did  not  \'ield  to  his  ear- 
nest request,  having  in  view  other  objects  distinct  from 
those  they  had  intimated  to  the  father,  as  was  afterwards 
admitted  b}'  the  Portuguese  officer,  when  thej'  reached 
the  town  of  Mayavara,  the  last  of  the  Yarimaguas. 
Father  Fritz  again  importuned  the  Portuguese  to  return, 
as  he  was  already  within  the  limits  of  his  mission  :  to 
which  the  officer  said,  in  reply,  that  his  not  having  done 
so  already  was,  that  he  had  orders  from  his  governor  to 
take  possession  of  that  teri'itor^',  as  far  as  that  of  the 
Omaguas  inclusive,  in  the  name  of  the  king  of  Portugal, 


109 


as  being  comprised  within  his  jurisdiction  ;  and  that  he 
would  notify  him  at  once  to  withdraw  IVom  it  and  leave 
it  unoccu[)ied.  Father  Fritz  wondered  at  this  determi- 
nation, and  the  more  as  it  was  opposed  to  the  decision 
given  by  the  court  of  Lisbon,  in  consequence  of  repre- 
sentations made  by  the  father  himself  from  Para  ;  and, 
having  confronted  in  this  manner  the  Portuguese  officer, 
he  prevailed  upon  him  to  let  him  I'cturn  without  urging 
his  suit  an}'  further  for  that  time  ;  and,  having  descended 
one  da^-'s  navigation,  the}'  landed  at  Guapatate,  opposite 
a  town  of  the  same  name,  cleared  a  plot  of  ground,  and 
left  for  a  boundary-  a  large  tree,  known  by  the  name  of 
Samona,  indicating  that  the  territory  as  far  as  that  point 
belonged  to  them,  and  leaving  word  with  some  Indians 
that  they  should  soon  return  to  make  a  settlement  on 
that  spot. 

Father  Fritz,  foreseeing  the  evil  consequences  that 
would  result  to  the  missions  by  the  excessive  insolence 
of  the  Portuguese,  unless  measures  were  taken  in  time 
to  check  them,  and  having  communicated  the  matter  to 
the  superior  of  the  missions  and  the  governor  of  Ma3nas, 
it  was  determined,  agreeably  to  the  opinion  of  both,  that 
Father  Fritz  should  proceed  personally  to  Lima  to  in- 
form the  viceroy  of  the  prosperous  state  of  the  missions, 
and  the  danger  which  threatened  them,  that  he  might 
devise  measures  to  thwart  the  designs  of  the  Portuguese. 
The  Viceroy  of  Lima,  Count  of  Monclova,  and  after  him 
the  whole  city,  were  astonished  at  the  success  which  had 
attended  the  [)reaching  of  the  gospel  by  Father  Fritz, 
and  the  account  filled  them  all  with  admiration  ;  but 
when  they  came  to  the  principal  point,  which  was  to  pre- 
vent an}'  further  encroachments,  on  the  part  of  the  Por- 
tuguese, upon  the  Spanish  domain,  as  well  as  upon  that 
mission  whicli  extended  from  the  mouth  of  tlie  river 
Napo  to  that  of  Black  River,  he  discovered  in  the  viceroy 
little  disposition  to  undertake  the  defence  of  that  terri- 
tory. This  was  afterwards  confirmed  by  the  reply  given 
by  the  count  to  the  memorial  of  Father  Fritz,  as  appears 
from  the  manuscript  narrative  of  this  missionary,  which 
was  in  substance  as  follows:    "That,  inasmuch  as  the 


no 


Portuguese  were  Catholic  Christians  as  well  as  the  Span- 
iards, and  a  warlike  nation,  he  had  no  means  at  his  com- 
mand adequate  to  induce  them  to  confine  themselves  to 
their  own  territor}^  without  coming  to  a  rupture,  which 
was  unadvisable  in  the  present  case,  those  uncultivated 
forests  3-ielding  no  revenue  to  the  king  of  Spain,  unlike 
many  other  provinces  which  ought  with  more  reason  to 
be  protected  against  hostile  invasion  ;  that  in  the  vast 
extent  of  the  Indies  there  were  lands  sufHcient  for  both 
crowns.  At  the  same  time,  he  would  lay  the  petition 
before  his  Majesty  as  soon  as  possible."  Certain  it  is, 
that  if  these  reasons  had  not  been  recorded  by  a  person 
of  such  virtue,  and  who  possesses  such  claims  as  that 
missionary,  we  should  refuse  to  give  him  credence  ;  for 
they  seem  more  becoming  a  man  who  had  thrown  off  his 
allegiance  to  princes  lawfully  invested  with  the  territory, 
than  of  a  minister  and  governor-general  of  Spain  in 
those  very  Indies  whose  defence  against  usurpation 
Father  Fritz  was  soliciting. 

The  stations  which  this  eminent  father  had  founded 
were  composed  of  forty-one  villages,  and  so  remote  from 
each  other  that,  between  the  first,  on  the  upper  waters  of 
the  river,  and  the  last,  on  the  lowest,  there  intervened  a 
distance  of  more  than  one  hundred  leagues.  All  these 
missions  are  made  up  of  the  union  of  vagrant  tribes, 
who  have  always  inhabited  the  banks  of  that  great  rii^er, 
and  who  are  obliged  by  forming  settlements  to  live  to- 
gether in  a  rational  and  social  state,  the  missionary  him- 
self being  their  priest  and  magistrate,  who  instructs  them 
in  the  arts  of  civilized  life,  as  well  as  in  the  doctrines 
and  precepts  of  the  Christian  religion.  Most  of  these 
towns  consist  of  Indians  who  have  been  converted  long 
since,  and  brought  to  a  state  of  civilization  ;  to  these  are 
occasionally  added  other  Gentile  Indians,  who,  finding 
themselves  worsted  in  the  continual  wars  which  they 
carry  on  with  the  neighboring  tribes,  and  fl^'ing  from  the 
cruelties  with  which  they  are  threatened,  come  to  seek 
shelter  under  the  covert  of  the  missionary  fathers,  a 
respect  for  whom  keeps  their  enemies  in  check.  In  these 
cases,  they  improve  the  opportunity  to  preach  to  them, 


Ill 


and  to  teach  them,  preparing  their  minds  to  receive  bap- 
tism :  but  the}-  are  usually  so  fickle,  that,  although  they 
hear  the  gospel  with  sufficient  attention,  manifesting  a 
desire  to  receive  it,  they  soon  throw  off  that  fervent  zeal 
which  was  awakened  b}'  the  fear  which  induced  them  to 
leave  their  lauds,  or  b}'  a  sense  of  obligation  imposed  upon 
them  by  the  memory  of  gifts  bestowed ;  and,  when  they 
come  to  believe  that  the  auger  of  the  tribes  with  whom 
they  were  at  war  is  pacified,  they  return  to  their  brutal 
customs.  At  other  times,  the  curates  despatch  messen- 
gers to  the  neighboring  tribes,  when  they  know  thej'  will 
receive  the  benefit  to  be  bestowed  upon  them  :  or  the 
missionaries  go  to  look  for  them  in  their  cabins,  to  attract 
them  by  a  present  of  some  gewgaws :  by  which  means 
they  succeed  in  making  them  teachable,  and  inclined  to 
have  a  fixed  place  of  residence,  by  forming  a  settlement, 
not  far  from  which  the  missionary  has  his  place  of  ren- 
dezvous, in  order  to  go  and  visit  them  frequentl}',  and  to 
instruct  them  in  the  precepts  of  religion,  that  they  may 
become  proper  subjects  of  baptism. 

When  these  new  towns  are  in  a  condition  to  support 
special  missionaries  or  parish  priests,  and  there  is  any 
security  of  their  stability,  they  are  then  sent  to  them  ; 
but  these  conversions  make  such  slow  progress  that 
many  years  elapse  without  the  addition  of  one  new 
station  to  the  old  ;  but,  notwithstanding  this  interval, 
some  fruit  never  fails  to  be  secured,  in  recompense  of  such 
incessant  lal)or.  This  advantage  results  exclusively 
from  the  missions  which  the  company  have  under  their 
charge  ;  because  the}'  pursue  it  with  zeal,  and  persevere 
with  unabated  fervor  in  such  undertakings,  not  being 
deterred  fro:n  them  by  the  fickleness  of  the  Indians,  nor 
disheartened  by  the  fatigue  and  suffering  they  must  neces- 
sarily undergo  in  countries  and  climates  to  which  they 
have  not  been  accustomed. 

ConductfMl  on  these  principles,  it  is  evident  that  if  there 
were  zeal  in  the  religious  Orders  to  convert  the  Indians, 
missions  would  be  sustained  in  all  the  possessions  of 
Spain  in  that  country,  each  one  endeavoring  to  gain  the 


112 


good-will  of  the  Indians  by  gentleness  and  civility,*  as  is 
the  case  in  Maynas,  a  Jesuit  mission  ;  and,  if  such  be  not 
the  general  practice,  it  is  because  the  whole  aim  of  those 
individuals  is  to  obtain  curacies,  from  which  the}'^  can  de- 
rive an  income  without  labor  or  encumbrance  ;  and  this 
not  being  possible  in  the  missions,  because  in  them  they 
must  divest  themselves  of  regard  to  interest,  and  shun 
covetousness  altogether,  there  is  no  individual  who  de- 
sires the  work,  and  no  zeal  in  the  Orders  to  carry  it  for- 
ward. It  is  one  of  the  great  calamities  we  have  to  bewail 
in  those  countries,  that,  while  the  convents  are  so  numer- 
ous and  all  so  wealthy,  the  Indians  should  not  have  the 
benefit  of  the  most  insignificant  portion,  either  of  the 
superfluous  riches  of  their  inmates,  or  of  the  enormous 
revenue  accruing  from  their  estates,  to  be  emplo3'ed  in 
securing  their  salvation  b}'  means  of  preaching  and  teach- 
ing the  Word  of  God,  which  ought  to  be  the  grand  and 

*  The  lucns,  altliongh  governed  only  by  a  simple  natural  law, 
have  left  ns  the  admirable  system  of  their  policy  in  the  maxims 
they  observed  to  conciliate  the  Indians,  and  reduce  them  to  obedi- 
ence, so  as  to  be  beloved  by  them  to  the  degree  they  were,  and 
that  their  laws  might  be  observed  with  scrupulous  exactness, 
which,  while  they  were  mild  and  just,  did  not  fail  to  be  severe 
whenever  it  was  necessary  that  rigor  should  predominate  over 
clemency.  They  conquered  the  provinces  (when  it  could  not  be 
done  by  mild  measures)  by  force  of  arms  ;  and,  even  when  these 
means  were  resorted  to,  their  subjects  lived  without  aversion  to 
the  authority  which  held  them  in  subjection,  as  it  could  not  be 
otherwise  under  a  mild  and  beneficent  policy.  The  same  methods 
ought  to  be  adopted  now  towards  those  tribes,  that  they  may  not 
obstinately  leliise  to  come  under  the  Spanish  rule  ;  for  if  the  Ind- 
ians should  discover  that  the  king's  vassals  live  comfortably, 
that  they  are  treated  with  consideration,  and  that  only  their 
own  welfare  is  consulted,  they  would  no  longer  entertain  the 
idea  they  now  have  of  the  Spaniards,  as  fe;irfal  tyrants,  and 
their  conversion  would  become  iiracticable.  The  laws  enacted 
for  their  benefit  are  admirable:  a  failure  to  comply  with  them 
is  the  source  whence  all  their  suft'erings  originate  ;  but  should 
these  abuses  be  reformed,  and  should  the  Indians  be  treated  as 
men  have  a  right  to  be  treated,  it  might  be  hoped  that  the  mis- 
sions would  have  a  favorable  result,  and  those  great  objects  ac- 
complished in  a  short  period,  which  have  not  been  effected  in 
the  long  period  which  has  elapsed  from  the  time  of  the  conquest 
until  now. 


113 


only  object  and  cmploymont  of  them  all.  But  in  the  con- 
ehuling  t-bapter,  in  ^Yhich  we  arc  to  speak  more  in  detail 
of  the  monasteries,  it  will  be  made  to  appear  how  diverse 
are  the  pursuits  and  conduct  of  those  ecclesiastics  from 
what  belong  to  the  character  of  missionaries. 


114 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Prevalence  of  Party-Spirit  between  Europeans  and  Creoles. — 
Its  chief  Source,  and  the  Evils  resulting  from  it  in  the  Cities 
and  large  Towns. 

It  can  never  fail  to  be  unseemly,  numerous  as  the  ex- 
amples may  be  of  this  nature,  that,  among  a  people  of 
the  same  country,  of  the  same  religion,  and  even  of  the 
same  blood,  suchenmitj^,  rancor,  and  hatred  should  exist, 
as  are  found  to  prevail  in  Peru,  where  the  cities  and  large 
towns  have  become  a  theatre  of  discord  and  perpetual 
wrangling  between  Europeans  and  Creoles.  This  enmity 
is  the  source  of  the  repeated  tumults  which  happen  there  ; 
for  the  hatred  engendered  between  the  two  opposing  inter- 
ests becomes  more  and  more  virulent,  and  the  exasper- 
ated parties  never  lose  an  opportunity  to  breathe  out  ven- 
geance, and  give  loose  rein  to  the  passions  and  jealousies 
which  are  so  deep-rooted  in  their  hearts. 

To  be  a  European,  or  "  Chapeton,"  as  one  is  called  in 
Peru,  is  reason  enough  for  avowing  one's  self  an  enemy 
to  the  Creoles  ;  and  to  have  been  born  in  the  Indies  is  a 
sufficient  cause  for  hating  Europeans.  To  such  a  height ' 
is  this  mutual  iil-will  carried,  that  in  some  respects  it  ex- 
ceeds the  unbridled  frenzy  with  which  nations  in  open  war 
vilify  and  outrage  each  other ;  for  if,  in  these,  we  may 
hope  it  will  gradually  subside,  it  is  not  so  with  the 
Spanish  colonics  in  Peru  :  and,  instead  of  being  weak- 
ened by  more  frequent  intercourse,  by  the  influence  of 
family  ties,  or  by  other  motives  which  are  adapted  to 
promote  harmony  and  friendship,  quite  the  reverse  takes 
place  ;  for  the  closer  their  contact,  the  higher  do  the 
flames  of  discord  rise,  and,  their  somewhat  smothered 
rancor  being  kindled  again  by  renewed  discussion,  the 


115 


fire  gains  strengili,  and  the  conflagration  becomes  inex- 
tingnisliable. 

Throughout  Peru,  the  spirit  of  party  is  a  mahxcly 
which  prevails  in  all  the  cities  and  large  towns,  not- 
withstanding the  slight  difTerences  which  ma_y  be  oc- 
casionally observed,  in  the  greater  or  less  degree  of 
scandal  which  attends  it.  The  disease  is  so  general, 
that  none  are  exempt  from  it — neither  the  first  magis- 
trates of  the  cit\',  nor  the  highest  dignitaries  in  the 
church  and  in  the  religions  orders  ;  for  it  attacks  even 
th'>se  who  have  a  reputation  for  wisdom  and  sanctity. 
The  towns  are  made  the  open  theatres  of  the  two  op- 
posing parties  ;  irreconcilable  enmity  disgorges  its  venom 
on  the  seats  of  justice  ;  and  even  in  the  monasteries 
the  sparks  of  discord  are  kindled  to  a  raging  flame.  Pri- 
vate dwellings,  likewise,  where  the  ties  of  parentage 
bind  together  both'  Europeans  and  Creoles,  become 
storehouses  of  anger  and  recrimination  ;  so  that,  upon 
due  consideration,  it  would  be  tame  to  describe  the 
scene  as  the  purgator}-  of  minds,  since  it  comes  to  be 
a  hell  of  living  beings,  who  are  kept  in  a  state  of  per- 
petual disquiet  b}^  numberless  occasions  of  discord, 
which  serve  as  fuel  to  the  flames  of  hatred. 

It  is  in  the  cities  of  the  mountainous  districts  that 
part3'-spirit  rises  to  the  greatest  height ;  which  proceeds, 
no  doubt,  from  their  isolated  position  :  but  in  the  towns 
on  the  coast,  where  intercoui'se  with  strangers  is  more 
frequent,  although  their  inhabitants  do  not  fail  to  cherish 
a  spirit  of  mutual  animosit}',  the  scandal  is  not  so  public 
as  in  the  former,  where  the  attention  cannot  l)e  diverted 
from  party  questions  by  subjects  of  a  diflerent  nature. 

These  dissensions,  which  are  there  so  common  and  so 
\'ioIcnt,  that,  from  the  time  one  arrives  in  those  parts,  he 
is  made  acquainted  with  them,  and  very  soon  becomes 
implicated  in  them,  must  have  had  their  origin  in  some 
powerful  cause ;  and,  while  this  is  not  removed,  the 
former  must  continue.  Our  object  in  the  i)resent  chap- 
ter will  l»e  to  investigate  it ;  for,  if  it  is  not  discovered,  it 
will  be  impossible  to  form  an  adequate  idea  of  it,  or  to 
applj-  the  remedy  which  the  evil  demands. 


116 


Although  the  party  feeling  which  exists  between  Euro- 
peans and  Creoles  may  have  originated  from  various 
sources,  there  are  two  which  appear  to  have  more  in- 
fluence than  all  the  rest — the  excessive  vanity  and  over- 
bearing manners  of  the  Creoles,  and  tlie  forlorn  and  pen- 
niless condition  of  the  Europeans  who  emigrate  to  that 
country.  The  latter  accumulate  a  fortune  with  the  aid 
of  relatives  and  friends,  as  well  as  by  dint  of  labor  and 
industry  ;  so  that  within  a  few  ^-ears  they  are  enabled  to 
form  an  alliance  with  ladies  of  distinction  :  but  the  low 
condition  in  which  the  Creoles  first  knew  them  is  not 
wholl}'  effaced  from  remembrance  ;  and,  on  the  first  oc- 
casion of  misunderstanding  between  the  European  and 
his  relatives,  the  latter  expose,  v/ithout  the  least  reflec- 
tion, the  mean  origin  and  profession  of  the  former,  and 
kindle  the  flames  of  discord  in  all  hearts.  The  Euro- 
peans espouse  the  cause  of  their  injured  countr3'men, 
and  the  Creoles  that  of  the  native  women  ;  and  thus  the 
seeds  of  dissension  spring  up,  which  had  been  sown  in 
the  mind  from  the  remote  period  of  the  conquest. 

It  maj'  be  readily  supposed  that  the  vanity  of  the 
Creoles,  and  their  lofty  pretensions  to  a  noble  ancestry, 
rise  to  such  a  height  that  they  are  perpetually  discussing 
the  order  and  line  of  their  descent ;  so  that  it  would  ap- 
pear, as  it  respects  nobility  and  antiquity,  the}'  have 
nothing  to  envy  in  the  most  illustrious  families  in  Spain ; 
and,  treating  the  subject  with  the  ardor  of  enthusiasm, 
the}'  make  it  the  first  topic  of  conversation  with  the 
newly-arrived  Europeans,  in  order  to  acquaint  them  with 
their  noble  origin  :  but,  when  this  is  investigated  impar- 
tially, we  are  met,  at  the  first  step  we  take,  witli  so  many 
diiTiculties  that  a  family  can  rarely  be  found  that  has  no 
mixed  blood,  not  to  mention  objections  of  minor  impor- 
tance. In  such  cases  it  is  amusing  to  observe  how  they 
become  mutually  the  heralds  of  each  other's  low  birth,  so 
that  it  is  needless  to  investigate  the  subject  for  one's  self; 
for  while  each  one  strives  to  unfold  and  present  to  view 
his  royal  descent,  depicting  the  illustrious  origin  of  his 
family  in  such  a  way  that  it  may  not  be  confounded  with 
others  of  the  same  city,  he  brings  to  light  all  their  defec- 


117 


tivc  titles,  and  the  fonl  l3lots  which  stain  the  pnrit}-  of  his 
neighbor's.  The  snmc  is  repeated  b\-  these  last  in  regard 
to  the  former,  nntil  every  circumstance  respecting  their 
famihes  is  brought  to  light,  and  their  true  origin  ex- 
posed.  Europeans  themselves,  who  marry  ladies  of  rank, 
and  who  arc  not  ignorant  of  f/<ei/*  defective  titles,  become 
resentful  v.  hen  they  are  taunted  with  their  former  poverty 
and  low  condition,  and  upbraid  them  with  the  Haws  of 
their  boasted  nobility  ;  and  this  always  furnishes  mate- 
rials enough  for  both  to  keep  alive  a  sensitiveness  to  the 
insults  and  injuries  heaped  upon  them  by  the  opposite 
party. 

This  very  vanity  of  the  Creoles,  which  is  more  observ- 
able in  the  mountainous  districts,  owing  to  the  want  of 
intercourse  with  foreigners,  except  such  as  settle  in  the 
different  towns,  keeps  them  aloof  from  labor,  and  from 
engaging  in  trade  (the  only  occupation  in  the  Indies 
which  can  enable  them  to  preserve  unimpaired  their  in- 
heritance), and  allures  them  to  the  practice  of  vices 
which  are  inherent  in  a  life  of  inaction.  Hence  it  is 
the}'  soon  sec  the  end  of  all  which  their  parents  have 
left  them,  by  wasting  their  money,  and  negleeling  the 
cultivation  of  their  estates  ;  and  the  Europeans,  availing 
themselves  of  the  advantages  which  the  neglect  of  the 
Creoles  affords  them,  turn  them  to  account,  and  amass  an 
estate  ;  for  by  engaging  in  trade  they  soon  succeed  in  get- 
ting upon  a  good  looting,  enjoy  credit,  accumulate  money, 
and  are  solicited  for  marriage  l)y  the  noble  families  ;  for 
the  Creole  women  themselves,  aware  of  the  wasteful  and 
indolent  habits  of  their  countrymen,  hold  Europeans  in 
high  esteem,  and  prefer  to  be  allied  with  thorn. 

The  preference  which  the  Creole  women  give  to  Euro- 
peans, for  the  reason  just  mentioned,  tlic  lact  that  they 
are  the  owners  of  the  richest  estates,  acquired  and  pre- 
served by  their  industry  and  economy,  and  tluit  they 
have  in  their  favor  the  confidence  of  magistrates  and 
ministers,  because  their  behavior  entitles  them  to  it,  are 
no  small  motives  to  stir  up  the  envy  of  the  Creoles  ; 
hence  the}' complain  1  hat  the  Europeans  arrive  barefoot 
in  their  country,  and  soon  acquire  a  greater  estate  than 


118 


their  fathers  and  conntr}-  have  given  them,  they  being  in 
reality  lords  of  the  soil.  This  is  literally  true,  for  as 
soon  as  they  are  married  the}^  are  made  regidors,  and 
immediately  obtain  the  place  of  ordinar}^  alcalde,  so 
that  in  the  space  of  ten  or  twelve  years  they  are  found 
at  the  head  of  one  of  the  chief  cities,  and  have  become 
objects  of  general  esteem  and  applause.  The  man  who 
occupies  this  position  was  once  crying  his  wares  in  the 
streets,  with  a  pack  upon  his  shoulders,  dealing  out 
finery  and  trinkets,  which  he  had  bought  on  credit,  to  set 
himself  up  in  trade  ;  but  the  fault  of  this  is  in  the 
Creoles  themselves,  for  if  they  would  enter  into  an  exten- 
sive trade,  while  they  have  means  for  it,  they  would  not 
waste  a  fortune  in  the  little  time  that  a  Eui'opean  needs 
to  acquire  one.  If  the  Creoles  would  eschew  vicious 
practices,  and  maintain  their  own  wives  with  honor  and 
decency,  they  would  not  give  occasion  to  their  own 
country-women  to  treat  them  with  aversion  and  hatred  ; 
and  if  the}-  would  regulate  their  conduct  by  the  princi- 
ples of  virtue,  they  would  alwa3-s  have  on  their  side  the 
favor  and  esteem  which  strangers  carry  with  them ;  but 
as  nothing  of  this  kind  is  congenial  to  their  nature,  the 
root  of  env}-  strikes  too  deeply  to  allow  such  sentiments 
to  gain  access  to  their  minds,  nor  do  they  reflect  that  it 
is  the}'  themselves  who  give  to  Europeans  all  the  esteem, 
authority,  and  advantages  which  tliey  enjoy. 

From  the  very  birth  of  the  children  of  foreigners,  or 
from  the  time  that  the  first  glimmerings  of  reason,  how- 
ever faint,  begin  to  appear,  and  as  soon  as  reflection 
draws  aside  the  veil  of  innocence,  the  workings  of  hatred 
to  Europeans  begin  to  exhibit  themselves ;  for  when 
their  minds  are  imbued  with  injurious  impressions  of 
their  parents,  which  they  imbibe  from  their  relatives, 
and  which  are  taught  them  by  the  abominable  example 
of  those  who  ought  to  give  them  a  right  education,  they 
cherish  a  spirit  of  enmity  towards  those  who  begat  them  ; 
and,  as  their  hatred  to  Europeans  becomes  more  invet- 
erate, they  need  no  other  motive  than  this  to  declare 
themselves  in  after  life  their  avowed  enemies,  which  they 
do  from  the  first  opportunity  they  have   to  exhibit  it. 


119 


even  without  fear  or  scruple,  and  perhaps  in  the  very 
presence  of  their  parents.  It  is  a  common  thing  to  hear 
them  remark  that,  if  the  blood  of  the  Spaniards,  their 
fathers,  could  be  drawn  from  their  veins,  they  would  let 
it  out,  that  it  might  not  be  mixed  with  that  which  thev 
have  received  from  their  mothers,  -r-  an  absurd,  and 
more  than  absurd  supposition,  for,  were  it  possible  to 
drain  them  of  their  Spanish  blood,  no  other  would  flow 
in  their  veins  but  that  of  negroes  or  Indians. 

The  Europeans  or  Chapetons  who  arrive  in  those 
countries  are  generally  men  of  low  origin  in  Spain,  or  of 
a  pedigree  very  little  known,  besides  having  neither 
education  nor  any  good  qualit}'  to  recommend  them  ;  but 
the  Creoles,  disregarding  distinctions  of  this  nature, 
treat  them  all  with  equal  friendship  and  courtes}' ;  it  is 
enough  that  they  have  come  from  Europe,  to  be  honored 
as  persons  of  distinction,  and  to  become  entitled  to 
ever}^  mark  of  esteem  ;  and  their  comlesy  is  carried  so 
far  that  even  families  of  the  highest  rank  give  a  place  at 
their  table  to  the  ver}-  meanest  who  emigrate  from  Spain, 
even  if  thc}^  should  go  in  the  character  of  servants. 
Hence  the}'  make  no  distinction  between  them  and  their 
masters,  when  the}'  meet  at  one  of  the  Creoles',  a  seat 
being  given  them  at  their  side,  although  their  masters 
may  be  present ;  and  it  is  owing  to  this  obsequious 
courtesy  that  many  Europeans,  who,  on  account  of  their 
inferior  birth  and  education,  would  never  dare  to  rise 
above  their  low  condition,  being  flattered,  after  they 
arrive  in  the  Indies,  with  such  tokens  of  regard,  raise 
their  thoughts  above  what  is  meet,  until  they  reach  the 
highest  post  to  which  ambition  can  aspire.  In  pursuing 
such  a  course  the  Creoles  have  no  better  ground  to  rest 
upon  than  merely  to  say  that  they  are  white,  and  this 
sole  prerogative  entitles  them  to  some  distinction  ;  nor 
do  they  stay  to  inquire  what  their  profession  is,  nor  to 
infer,  by  what  it  really  is,  what  rank  they  hold  in  societ}'. 
Disastrous  consequences  result  to  the  Indies  from  this 
abuse.  The  origin  of  it  is,  that,  as  few  families  there 
are  Ipgilimatebi  white,  —  for  this  distinction  is  confined 
to  the  most  distinguished,  —  the  mere  circumstance  of 


120 


being  white  entitles  one  to  a  position  wliich  ought  to  be- 
long only  to  a  higher  order  of  nobilit}^ ;  and,  therefore, 
being  European  merely  by  birth,  apart  from  every  other 
consideration,  they  are  supposed  to  merit  the  same 
courtesy  and  esteem  which  are  lavished  upon  more  dis- 
tinguished individirals,  who  go  with  an  appointment  from 
government,  the  honor  of  which  ought  to  distinguish 
them  from  the  bulk  of  emigrants. 

In  regard  to  those  who  in  Spain  enjo^'ed  no  advan- 
tages of  birth,  the  facility  afforded  them  of  seeking  pro- 
motion and  forming  an  alliance  ■uath  those  who  constitute 
the  nobility,  is  in  proportion  to  the  attentions  which  are 
bestowed,  in  some  cities  more  than  in  others,  upon  all 
Europeans  indiscriminatel}",  without  regard  to  the  rank 
or  office  of  each  individual ;  for,  apart  from  the  consid- 
eration that  the  possession  of  an  estate  may  serve  as  an 
offset  to  the  lack  of  nobility,  the  emolument  of  having 
been  born  in  Europe,  as  well  as  that  of  being  a  white 
man,  are  sufficient  to  warrant  the  expectation  of  con- 
necting themselves  with  some  of  the  most  distinguished 
families  of  that  country. 

The  Creoles  pass  from  this  extreme  to  another,  no  less 
pernicious,  when  they  are  provoked  by  a  real  or  sup- 
posed inJLuy  to  give  vent  to  a  spirit  of  revenge  in  the 
use  of  insulting  and  opprobrious  language  ;  they  then 
denounce  and  vilify  the  Europeans  in  a  mass,  just  as 
they  had  obsequiously  cringed  to  them  at  first ;  and  they 
do  not  scruple  to  revile  them  as  a  worthless,  low-born 
race,  as  if  there  were  no  degraded  condition,  no  ignoble 
origin,  and  no  infamous  blot  which  might  not  be  attrib- 
uted to  them.  Whence  it  is  that  those  on  whom  the 
reproach  falls  avenge  themselves  by  bringing  to  light  the 
flaws  which  are  incident  to  their  own  families,  and  these 
being  closely  allied  with  each  other,  all  are  in  danger  of 
being  consumed  by  the  raging  flames.  The  Creoles,  in 
order  to  vilify  the  Europeans,  fasten  upon  them  the  cir- 
cumstance of  their  forlorn  condition  at  the  time  they 
arrived  in  the  countr^^,  as  well  as  what  they  slanderously 
report  of  each  other  in  regard  to  the  meanness  of  their 
origin,  so  that  all  become  exasperated  by  the  exposure 


121 


of  their  mutual  defects,  and  live  in  continual  disquiet 
and  turmoil. 

This  is  the  grand  source  of  that  disunion,  which  is 
wont  to  create  such  tumults  in  the  settlements  of  Peru, 
and  even  in  those  cities  where  notliing  is  wanting  to  the 
liberty  or  comfort  of  their  citizens,  and  where  the}'  might 
pass  the  most  agreeable  and  tranquil  life  that  could  be 
desired.  A  spirit  of  opposition  keeps  them  in  continual 
warfare,  being  full  of  acrimony'  and  evil  surmisings,  and 
plunged  in  a  sea  of  dissensions  and  animosities,  the  fruit 
of  their  own  uncontrolled  passions,  and  of  the  eagerness 
with  which  each  individual  strives  to  defend  the  interests 
of  his  own  party. 

As  we  have  alread}'  remarked,  it  is  owing  to  the  ill- 
advised  courtes}'  with  which  the  Creoles  treat  the  Span- 
iards, when  they  view  them  with  a  friendly  eye,  and 
especially  on  their  first  arrival,  as  they  are  pledged  to  no 
party,  that  the  latter  carry  their  ambitious  views  far  be- 
yond what  their  profession  and  antecedents  would  justif}^ ; 
hence  it  is  tliat  those  who  have  learned  a  trade  in  Europe 
refuse  to  follow  it  as  soon  as  the}'  arrive  in  the  Indies, 
and  this  is  the  reason  why  the  mechanical  arts  never 
reach  an}'  greater  degree  of  perfection  than  they  had  at 
the  time  of  the  conquest,  the  Indians  and  the  mestizoes 
being  the  only  classes  who  are  employed  in  them.  Thus, 
while  Spain  is  depopulated  by  the  vast  numbers  who 
emigrate  to  the  Indies,  those  countries  gain  no  benefit, 
each  individual  being  bent  upon  his  own  interest,  with- 
out contributing  in  any  degree  to  the  general  prosperity 
of  the  nation. 

There  is  also  another  circumstance  which  contributes 
to  the  want  of  order  in  the  social  condition  of  that 
country,  which  is,  the  custom  introduced  at  an  early 
period,  and  perhaps  from  the  time  of  the  conquest,  of 
granting  the  fneros^  or  patents  of  nobility,  to  all  Span- 
iards who  would  go  and  take  up  their  residence  there. 
Its  introduction,  which  might  have  been  justified  at  that 
time,  both  in  recompense  of  military  service,  and  to 
promote  the  more  rajjid  settlement  of  the  country,  is, 
under  the  present  circumstances,  prejudicial  to  Spain  as 


122 


well  as  to  the  Indies  ;  to  Spain,  on  account  of  the  great 
number  who  emigrate  from  it  to  acquire  in  tlie  Indies  the 
two  possessions  which  are  most  esteemed  among  men, 
and  whicli  all  do  not  here  enjoy  ;  namefy,  wealth,  or  the 
goods  of  fortune,  and  nobility  ;  the  privilege  of  the  latter 
being  freely  bestowed  upon  all  who  go  there,  enabling 
them  to  hold  offices  and  perform  acts  which  are  reserved 
for  the  nobles,  the  bare  name  of  Spaniard  being  the  best 
patent  there  can  be  in  those  parts.  It  is  also  pernicious 
to  the  Indies,  for,  besides  the  tumults  it  occasions,  the 
reproach  it  brings  upon  the  order  of  nobility,  and  the 
idleness  and  vices  that  are  consequent  upon  it,  the 
mechanical  arts,  as  well  as  all  the  arts  of  industry,  which 
are  essential  to  a  Avell-ordered  republic,  are  completely 
abandoned,  being  held  in  contempt  in  that  country  by 
those  who  have  no  occasion  to  neglect  or  despise  them  in 

this 

The  inhabitants  of  the  Indies,  both  Creoles  and  Euro- 
peans, and  especially  those  of  Peru,  of  whom  we  are 
now  speaking,  should  they  continue  to  be  the  loyal  sub- 
jects of  the  king,  and  remain  steadfast  in  their  fidelity, 
can  have  no  motive  to  covet  another  kind  of  govern- 
ment, which  shall  be  more  advantageous  to  them,  or  a 
more  perfect  degree  of  freedom  than  that  which  they  now 
have,  or  greater  security  for  their  property'.  They  all  live 
there  after  their  own  caprice,  without  the  burden  of  any 
other  impost  than  that  of  the  excise  of  the  Alcabala^ 
which  is  paid  very  irregularly ;  they  acknowledge  no 
other  obligation  or  duty  to  magistrates  than  such  as  they 
are  willing  to  render  ;  and,  regardless  of  the  decisions 
of  the  tribunals,  thej'  scarcely  acknowledge  themselves 
as  vassals,  for  each  one  is  a  sovereign  in  his  own  esteem  ; 
and  they  are  such  absolute  proprietors  of  the  country, 
and  of  their  possessions,  that  they  are  utter  strangers  to 
the  fear  of  losing  any  portion  of  them,  in  the  event  of 
prolonged  wars  in  Europe,  which  exhaust  the  revenue  of 
princes,  and  to  carry  on  which  the  latter  are  obliged  to 
lay  new  taxes  upon  their  subjects.  A  man  who  owns  an 
estate  there  disposes  of  it,  as  well  as  of  its  produce,  just 
as  he  wishes  ;  the  trader  has  an  undisputed  right  to  his 


12i 


goods  and  merchandise  ;  the  capitalist  entertauis  no  appre- 
hension lest  his  estate  should  be  impaired  by  a  forced  loan, 
or  that  he  should  be  compelled  to  incur  exorbitant  ex- 
penses ;  tlie  poor  man  does  not  absent  himself  from  his 
family,  and  become  a  fugitive,  for  fear  of  being  pressed 
into  service  against  his  will ;  and  so  far  is  the  govern- 
ment from  imposing  fines  upon  the  whites  or  mestizoes, 
that,  if  these  could  appreciate  the  advantages  they  cnjo\', 
they  would  be  envied  by  all  nations,  both  for  the  degree 
of  libert}'  to  which  they  have  attained,  as  well  as  for  the 
excellence  of  the  S3'stem  of  government  luider  which 
they  live. 

Ever}-  proprietor  becomes  so  arrogant,  on  account  of 
what  he  possesses,  that  he  is  regarded  as  a  petty  sover- 
eign in  his  own  dominions,  being  the  absolute  disposer 
of  them,  and  subject  to  no  other  law  than  that  of  his 
own  caprice.  In  the  cities,  villages,  and  hamlets,  where 
the  landholders  reside,  the}'  are  the  oracles  of  the  people  ; 
and  all  the  authority  which  the  corregidors  possess  is 
onh'  what  is  conceded  to  them  by  the  good  pleasure  of 
the  most  distinguished  citizens,  who  are  imitated,  in  this 
respect,  by  those  of  inferior  rank.  If  the  corregidor 
keeps  in  favor  with  them,  he  occupies  the  position  of  an 
honest  citizen,  like  any  one  else  ;  but,  if  he  comes  into 
collision  with  them  before  the  tribunals,  or  attempts  to 
make  an}-  display  of  authority,  he  is  resisted  by  force  of 
arms,  and,  as  there  are  none  left  to  render  obedience,  his 
post  is  virtually  vacant ;  and,  should  he  proceed  to  exe- 
cute his  designs,  it  would  lie  enough  to  effect  his  ruin. 

There  are  towns  in  which  contempt  of  authority  has 
reached  such  a  point  that  threats  are  often  carried  into 
execution  ;  and,  if  the  conduct  of  the  magistrate  is  not 
the  most  prudent  and  war}',  he  will  have  little  security  of 
life.  It  is  true  this  is  a  case  which  rarely  or  never 
happens,  because  the  corregidors  study  to  promote  thoir 
own  interest,  and  leave  the  government,  or  the  grciiter 
part  of  it,  in  the  hands  of  the  alcaldes,  and,  l)y  tliis 
means,  rid  themselves  of  subjects  which  give  them  any 
uneasiness  ;  but,  as  cases  occur  in  which  no  dissimula- 
tion can  be  used,  it  is  in  these  that  the  caprice  of  those 


124 


people  shows  itself  without  disguise  ;  and,  in  order  to 
make  it  better  understood,  we  shall  quote  one  of  the 
numerous  instances  which  occurred  in  those  provinces 
while  we  were  residing  there. 

In  a  town  in  the  interior,  which  held,  in  point  of  popu- 
lation, about  a  middling  rank,  an  altercation  took  place 
between  a  crcole  gentleman  and  a  European,  which  re- 
sulti.'d  in  a  mutual  challenge  ;  and  the  parties  went  into 
the  field,  accompanied  by  their  seconds.     One  of  them 
was  so  much  injured,  that,  without  bringing  the  quarrel 
to  a  close,  he  turned  his  back  upon  his  opponent,  and 
made  his  escape  (after  being  wounded),  in  order  not  to 
lay  down  his  arms.     This  circumstance  became  so  gener- 
ally known,  that  the  individual  who  was  Avorsted  in  the 
affray,  and  who  determined  to  seek  revenge,  not  having 
courage  to  make  a  second  attempt,  had  recourse  to  the 
base    artifice  of  furnishing   himself  with  weapons,  and 
seeking  his  antagonists  when  they  were  off  their  guard. 
The  parties  had  gathered  strength,  and  the  Europeans, 
or  Chapetons,  having  raised  their  flag  on  one  side,  and 
the  Creoles  on  the  other,  the  scandal  became  excessive, 
and  the  mutual  recrimination  insupportable.     The  result 
of  the  matter  was,  that  they  patrolled  the   streets  for 
several  nights  in  search  of  each  other,  and  at  an  hour 
when  daylight  had  scarcely  disappeared.     Although  the 
corregidor  was  there,  he   did  not  attempt  to  use  any 
measures  to  keep  them  in  check,  for,  his  friendly  inter- 
vention having  failed  of  success,  he  thought  he  had  not 
a  force  sufficient  to  justify  any  decisive  measure.     The 
rumor  of  this  tumult  having  reached  the  capital  city  of 
the  province,  orders  were  sent  to  have  the  guilty  seized 
and  punished.     As  soon  as  the  latter  had  received  intel- 
ligence of  the  order,  they  put  themselves  in  an  attitude 
to  resist  it,  should  the  Audience  attempt  to  put  it  in 
execution,  augmenting  their  force  with  that  of  the  mes- 
tizoes, servants,  and  others  dependent  upen  them,  and 
seizing  fire-arms  wherever  they  could  find  them.     The 
corregidor,  urged  on  the  one  hand  by  the  order  of  the  tri- 
bunal, and  fearful,  on  the  other,  of  resistance  on  the  part  of 
the  delinquents,  availed  himself  of  an  artifice,  suggested 


125 


by  prurience,  to  conciliate  all  parties,  without  hazard  to 
himself,  and  tliat  was,  to  send  them  a  pohte  message, 
requesting  permission  to  visit  their  houses,  under  a 
pledge  that  he  would  not  approach  the  apartment  to 
which  the}-  should  retreat.  The  latter,  aware  tliat  thej-- 
should  incur  no  risk  by  so  doing,  and  that  the  result  to 
them  would  be  favorable,  consented  to  let  him  in,  and 
the}'  withdrew  to  a  room  which,  on  being  closed,  served 
for  a  place  of  defence.  Tlie  corregidor  arrived  with  his 
secretary,  high  sheriff,  and  several  inferior  officers,  sigui- 
f3-ing  by  that  formidable  arra}-  that  the  prisoners  were  to 
be  apprehended,  and  commenced  searching  the  house, 
without  venturing  near  the  apartment  wliere  the  culprits 
lay  hid  (which  was  as  well  known  to  the  secretary  and 
his  suite  as  it  was  to  the  corregidor)  ;  and  not  having 
found  them  in  an}'  of  those  rooms  Avhich  had  been  ex- 
amined, the  process. was  concluded,  and  satisfaction 
given  to  the  Audience  by  the  testimony  of  competent 
witnesses.  As  soon  as  the  corregidor  had  withdrawn, 
the  others  emerged  from  their  retirement,  and  began  to 
appear  in  public,  as  if  no  attempt  had  ever  been  made  to 
seize  them.  The  Audience  knew  all  that  had  occurred, 
but  winked  at  it,  on  the  ground  that  it  was  not  possible 
for  the  corregidor  to  adopt  more  efficient  measures.  We 
arrived  in  that  town  about  six  months  after  this  took 
place,  and  having  received  attentions  from  both  parties, 
we  succeeded  in  effecting  a  reconciliation  between  them, 
and  thereby  preventing  any  further  evil  results  from  that 
scandalous  division. 

The  domineering  spirit,  both  of  the  laity  and  clergy, 
who  introduce  these  dissensions,  prevails  in  both  in  an 
equal  degree  ;  yet  it  exists  to  such  an  excess  in  the  latter 
as  to  awaken  new  zeal  and  give  greater  impulse  to  the 
former,  who  confidently  rely  on  their  assistance  when- 
ever occasion  should  require.  The  whole  clerical  staff  is 
implicated  in  these  riots  and  the  religious  orders  exceed 
all  the  rest  (that  of  the  Jesuits  excepted),  by  interfering 
in  subjects  which  do  not  belong  to  them,  and  which  are 
not  appropriate  to  their  profession.  Not  only  those  who 
wear  the  habit,  but  even  their  servants  and  dependents, 


126 


have  the  insolence  tq  cast  reproach  upon  the  civil  magis- 
trate ;  and,  the  pernicious  example  which  they  give  to 
the  laity  is  the  reason  why  the  latter  assume  a  bolder 
front,  and  trample  on  the  authority  of  their  superiors.  It 
is  in  those  countries  that  contempt  of  law  serves  as  pas- 
time to  ecclesiastics,  who,  in  reliance  upon  the  immuni- 
ties they  enjo}',  have  the  effrontery  to  make  sport  of  the 
civil  magistrate,  whatever  rank  he  may  hold.  Perhaps 
in  no  other  country  in  the  world  do  we  see  priests,  with 
arms  in  their  hands,  boldly  defying  a  corregidor,  even  in 
his  own  house,  and  exposing  him  to  the  scorn  of  the 
populace.  There,  too,  may  be  seen  bands  of  monks,  of 
twenty  or  more,  in  masks,  rushing  through  the  streets, 
and  provoking  tumults,  such  as  would  be  looked  for  only 
from  the  lowest  and  most  reckless  mob.  It  is  there  they 
have  the  audacity  to  enter  the  prison,  armed,  and,  with- 
out fear  of  resistance,  to  set  at  liberty'  culprits  under  the 
just  sentence  of  the  law,  —  an  occurrence  which  took 
place  in  Cuenca,  only  a  few  days  before  our  arrival  in 
that  city  in  1740.  It  is  there  that  the  high  sheriff 
has  not  courage  to  violate  the  sanctuary  of  the  private 
dwellings  of  the  priests,  to  arrest  criminals  that  have 
taken  refuge  in  them,  as  we  ourselves  witnessed  in  the 
town  of  Lambayeque  in  the  year  1741.  As  we  passed 
through  that  town,  on  our  way  to  Lima,  it  happened 
that  a  common  priest  had  the  insolence  to  attempt  to 
beat  the  corregidor,  because  he  went  to  his  house  to 
seize  a  culprit,  who  had  just  stabbed  a  townsman,  and 
had  fled  thither  for  refuge.  In  a  word,  it  is  there  where 
justice  has  no  power  to  enforce  her  demands. 

It  is  by  such  examples  as  these  that  the  laity  are  em- 
boldened by  the  clergj'  to  treat  their  judges  with  con- 
tempt, and  to  practise  their  detestable  vices  without 
restraint. 

It  will  not  be  thought  strange  that  ecclesiastics  should 
show  such  contempt  for  justice,  when  tliey  exhibit  the 
same  temper  towards  their  prelates ;  this  being  another 
reason  wh}'  it  is  impossible  to  lay  hold  of  them,  and  to 
chastise  their  insolence,  as  much  so  as  it  is  to  attempt  to 
reform  the  complicated  machinery  of  abuses  introduced 


127 


into  that  country,  and  which  liave  become  inveterate 
from  the  days  of  the  first  colonists  that  emigrated 
thither.  These  disorderl}-  proceedings,  the  sources  of 
which  are  such  and  so  various,  are  incorrigible  :  their 
causes  cannot  be  removed,  and,  should  any  attempt  be 
made  to  reform  them  in  part,  it  would  be  impossible  to 
stay  their  future  progress.  The  wise  choice  of  rulers 
and  magistrates,  who  are  disinterested,  impartial,  of 
sound  morals,  condescending  to  all,  and  severe  only 
towards  those  whose  unrighteous  conduct  renders  them 
deserving  of  punishmeut,  — this  is  the  only  method  of  re- 
form which  can  be  introduced  :  and  if  this  fails  to  impose 
the  necessary  restraints,  and  to  bring  those  people  back 
to  their  reason,  we  know  of  no  other  which  is  adequate 
to  the  object  proposed  ;  for,  whatever  be  the  means  that 
can  be  devised,  it  appears  as  if  they  wholly  lose  their 
efficac}'  in  the  distance  itself,  as  well  as  in  the  mode  of 
putting  them  in  operation. 

Note. — The  authors  of  the  "  Secret  Expedition  "  have  expressed 
their  oi)iiiioii  tliat  some  of  tlie  Creoles  are  qiialilied  to  Iiold  offices 
under  Goverumeut ;  l)nt  thej'  have  merely  alluded  to  the  unwise 
policy  of  llio  mother  country  in  the  selection  of  public  function- 
aries who  Ijecanie  a  reproach  to  the  nation. 

The  church  livings  in  Anieiica  wei'e  numerous,  and  richly  en- 
dowed; liiit  almost  all  vacancies  were  filled  by  ecclesiastics  from 
Spain.  It  was  a  common  thing  to  see  the  whole  staff  of  a  cathe- 
dral, from  the  l)isliop  to  the  lowest  officer,  made  up  of  Europeans. 
A  successor  was  nominated  to  a  see  long  before  the  post  became 
vacant,  and  the  candidate  only  awaited  tlie  news  of  the  death  of 
a  dignitary  in  cuder  to  get  his  credentials  sealed,  and  to  go  and 
take  j)ossession  of  his  incumliency.  The  Creoles  were  still  more 
rigorously  exclnded  IVom  tlie.jndiciary.  The  regents,  oydors,  and 
lis:als  of  the  Audience,  as  well  as  tliti  governors  and  their  assist- 
ants, the  secri'taries  and  assessors,  all  went  from  Spain.  It  was 
the  sauK!  in  the  branch  of  the  exchequer.  The  collectors,  comp- 
trollers, and  even  appraisers  of  the  custom-honse;  theinteiidants, 
treasurers,  oflicers,  and  other  functionaries  of  the  royal  exchequer, 
— were  cxdnsively  Europeans.  As  to  piomotions  in  the  army, 
there  was  scarcely  an  officer  in  th(>,  regulai  troo])s:  tin*  military 
honors  to  which  a  nativcof  t  heconnf  ry  conld  aspire,  howcncr  rich 
ordiistiiiguishcd  Ik;  might  be,  wel■(^  confined  to  t  lit^  rank  of  colonel 
of  a  rcginiiiit  of  a  militia  that  had  never  ])asscd  muster.  I'.vcn 
the  monivs  maintaini'(l  a  kind  of  warfare  in  the  convents  to  pre- 
vent any  en ole  colleagne  from  being  chosen  provincial  or  prior 
in  the  ca|»itulary  elcctioua. 


128 


But  the  chief  source  of  irritation  and  discoutent  was  the  char- 
acter of  the  individuals  promoted  to  oflice.  The  domestic  of  a 
secretary  of  state  was  coutideut  of  liaviujr  liis  obsequiousness  I'e- 
warded  l»y  an  appointment  in  America;  the  brotliercjf  a  courtesan 
lady,  who  enjoyed  tlie  protection  of  some  one  of  tlie  grandees,  was 
nauu'd  inteiuhint  of  a  province  ;  the  intriguing  jurist,  who  had 
served  as  the  instrument  of  defending  the  suit  of  some  favorite 
at  court,  was  appointed  regent  or  oydor  of  an  Audience ;  the  hair- 
dresser of  some  royal  ]iersoimge  coutidently  expected  to  see  his 
son  promoted  to  the  otiiee  of  collector  of  customs  If  an  officer 
in  the  family  of  one  of  the  grandees  had  dishonored  his  station 
by  cowardice  or  vile  conduct,  he  was  sent  to  the  Indies,  with  the 
rank  of  general,  insi)ector,  or  commander  of  a  fortress;  or,  if  an 
ignorant  chaplain  were  found  there,  he  was  promoted  either  to 
a  bisho])ric  or  to  the  deanery  of  a  cathedral ;  or  if  a  son  were 
thought  to  be  incorrigible,  and  had  become  the  reproach  of  his 
family,  he  was  sent  to  America,  bearing  some  important  com- 
mission. Several  Creoles,  it  is  true,  have  bei'U  a]ii)ointed  l>isht)ps 
in  Ameri(!a,  and  generals  in  Spain,  but  tljese  were  either  sons  of 
those  European  functionaries,  who  were  promoted  by  their  i)ar- 
ents,  through  the  inlluenco  of  their  relatives  and  friends  in  the 
peninsula,  or  those  who  had  been  sent  to  Sjjain  in  boyhood,  and 
who  had  continued  to  reside  there  iiermanently,  and  who  are  not 
to  be  ranked  with  the  natives  of  the  Indies.  At  the  same  time, 
the  king's  ministers  alleged  instanceslike  these,  liowever  rare,  to 
prove  that  the  posts  of  honor  and  emolument  were  equally  ac- 
cessible to  Europeans  and  Creoles.  It  is  not,  therefore,  strange 
that  quarrels  should  have  ensued  ;  it  is  rather  to  be  woiulered  at 
that  the  Creoles  have  borne  the  yoke  so  long  and  so  patiently. 
Having  none  to  listen  to  their  complaints,  their  only  alleviation 
was  the  wretched  resource  of  vilifying  and  hating  the  usurpers 
of  their  rights.  This  motive  alone  would  have  been  sufficient  to 
justify  the  emancipation  of  those  countries. 


]29 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Gross  Licentiousness  of  the  Clergy  in  general,  and  particularly 
of  the  Monks. — Tumults  attending  the  Capitulary  Elections. — 
Their  Priuciijal  Cause. 

"We  enter  upon  this  chapter  of  our  report  with  some 
diffidence,  both  on  account  of  the  subject  in  general,  as 
well  as  of  the  peculiar  nature  of  its  details,  which  must 
be  communicated  with  due  regard  to  the  elevated  station 
of  the  individuals  of  whom  we  are  to  speak  ;  while,  on 
the  other  hand,  we  should  make  ourselves  liable  to  the 
imputation  of  partiality  or  injustice,  were  we  to  pass  over 
in  silence  the  dissolute  practices  which  are  observable  in 
them.  The  offence  is  of  a  public  nature,  and  hence  no 
artifice  can  be  used  to  screen  it  from  the  observation  of 
the  secretai'ies  ;  and,  if  this  were  practicable,  it  would 
preclude  the  possibility  of  devising  suitable  measures  of 
reform.  The  ministers  are  the  safest  channel  through 
which  our  sovereigns  can  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the 
state  of  government  in  their  dominions,  the  conduct  of 
their  envo3's  and  judges,  and,  finally,  of  the  system  of 
juri.sdiction  under  which  the  colonists  live.  To  attempt  to 
conceal  this  information  would  be  to  wish  that  it  might 
never  reach  the  ears  of  the  prince,  and,  consequently,  to 
discountenance  the  reform  of  immoral  practices,  which 
would  be  the  same  as  to  connive  at  their  existence. 
Even  if  we  were  entitled  to  no  other  consideration  than 
that  which  belongs  to  any  of  his  Majesty's  subjects,  it 
would  suffice  to  warrant  the  discussion  not  onl}-  of  this 
topic,  but  of  every  other  comprehended  within  the  sphere 
of  our  inquiries  ;  but  when  we  add  the  powerful  one  of 
having  had  assigned  us,  among  other  offices  of  trust, 
that  of  examining  the  government  and  condition  of  those 
kingdoms,  it  would  be  culpable  in  us,  after  having  dis- 

6» 


130 


charged  this  duty,  to  withhold  the  result  of  our  investi- 
gations ;  for,  although  the  sacred  character  of  the  per- 
sons interested  might  entitle  them  to  some  considera- 
tion, that  very  character,  as  it  renders  their  crimes  more 
aggravated,  furnishes  an  occasion  of  severe  rebuke,  inas- 
much as  religion  itself  is  implicated,  which  tolerates  no 
form  of  connivance  or  excuse. 

In  Peru,  the  body  of  ecclesiastics  is  made  up  of  two 
orders — the  secular  and  regular  clergy  ;  the  former  com- 
prising the  parish  priests,  and  the  latter  the  monks.  The 
individuals  who  compose  both  these  orders  are  guilty  of 
such  licentiousness,  that,  making  due  allowance  for  the 
frailties  to  which  human  nature  is  liable,  and  the  weak- 
nesses to  which  men  of  every  class  are  subject,  it  would 
appear  that  those  ecclesiastics  regard  it  as  their  peculiar 
privilege  to  go  before  all  others  in  the  career  of  vice  ;  for 
while  the}^  are  under  the  most  sacred  obligations  not  only 
to  practise  virtue,  but  to  correct  the  errors  incident  to 
frail  nature,  it  is  they  who,  by  their  pernicious  example, 
sanction  the  practice  of  iniquity,  and  in  a  measure  divest 
it  of  its  heinous  nature. 

The  parish  priests  are  extremely  vicious  in  their  habits  ; 
but,  whether  it  happen  that  an  error  or  crime  in  them  at- 
tracts less  notice,  or  whether  the}'  are  more  careful  to  con- 
ceal it,  or  for  both  reasons,  which  is  the  most  probable, 
disgraceful  as  the  consequences  are  known  to  be,  they 
never  reach  such  a  degree  of  scandal  as  do  those  of  the 
monks  ;  for  the  latter,  from  the  first  step  they  take,  and 
even  without  leaving  the  monasteries,  pursue  a  course  of 
conduct  so  notorious  and  shameful  that  it  becomes  offen- 
sive in  the  extreme,  and  fills  the  mind  with  horror. 

Concubinage,  as  being  the  most  general  and  scandal- 
ous, holds  the  first  place  among  the  vices  of  Peru.  All 
are  implicated  in  it,  —  Europeans,  Creoles,  the  single  as 
well  as  the  married,  and  the  priests,  both  secular  and 
regular.  A  remark  so  comprehensive  in  its  nature  might 
be  deemed  h^-perbolical ;  but,  in  order  to  substantiate 
the  truth  of  it,  we  shall  give  some  examples  which  we 
have  had  occasion  to  observe,  and  we  shall  cite  them  in 
the  order  which  the  subject  seems  to  demand. 


131 


Concubinnge  is  so  general  in  those  conntries  that  tne 
practice  of  it  is  esteemed  a  point  of  honor,  particular!}' 
in  the  small  towns  ;  and  when  a  stranger  arrives,  and 
continues  his  residence  there  for  some  time  without 
having  adopted  the  customs  of  the  countrv,  his  con- 
tinence is  attributed  not  to  a  principle  of  virtue,  but  to 
the  passion  of  avarice,  as  it  is  generall}'  supposed  that 
he  lives  so  in  order  to  save  mone}'.  Soon  after  our  ar- 
rival in  the  Province  of  Quito,  we  proceeded,  jointly 
with  the  French  compan}*,  to  a  plain  a  little  more  than 
four  leagues  distant  from  that  cit}',  where  we  were  to 
make  our  first  measurement,  as  a  basis  of  subsequent 
observations  ;  and,  in  order  to  be  in  the  vicinity  of  our 
encampment,  we  took  lodgings  on  one  of  the  numerous 
plantations  in  that  valley-,  and  on  Sundays  and  holida3S 
we  were  accustomed  to  go  to  the  neighboring  villages  to 
hear  mass.  After  we  had  been  there  some  days,  the 
people  of  the  village  asked  after  our  concubines,  direct- 
ing their  inquiries  to  those  who  lived  on  the  plantations  ; 
and,  on  being  told  that  we  lived  without  women,  they 
could  not  refrain  from  expressing  their  astonishment  that 
such  a  thing  could  take  place,  notwithstanding  that  it  is 
so  common  everywhere  except  in  that  country. 

This  vice  having  become  so  prevalent,  it  will  not  be 
thought  strange  that  those  who  ai'e  bound  by  their  pro- 
fession to  avoid  it,  should  participate  in  it ;  for  a  practice 
which  is  so  general,  easily  insinuates  itself  among  those 
who  strive  to  keep  themselves  from  the  contagion  of  it ; 
and,  as  a  love  of  reputation  fails  to  oppose  anj'  obstacle, 
the  inveterate  habit  gains  strength,  until  it  triumphs  over 
all  sense  of  shame,  and  all  the  salutary  restraints  of  fear. 

Want  of  discipline  in  the  convents  opens  the  door  to 
licentious  practices.  In  large  cities  the  greater  part  of 
the  monks  live  in  private  houses,  for  the  convents  fur- 
nish an  asylum  to  those  only  who  cannot  keep  house,  or 
the  choristers,  novitiates,  or  such  like,  who  live  there 
from  choice.  The  same  is  true  of  the  small  cities, 
villages,  and  hnnilets.  The  doors  of  the  monasteries  are 
kept  open,  and  the  monks  live  in  theii-  cells,  accompanied 


132 


by  their  women,  and  lead  in  every  respect  the  life  of 
married  persons. 

In  order  to  live  without  the  walls  of  the  convent,  a 
monk  of  any  of  the  orders  (except  that  of  the  Jesuits) 
must  have  one  of  the  following  reasons  to  allege,  — 
either  that  he  has  an  incumbency,  or  that  he  has  bought 
an  estate  with  his  own  property,  or  that  he  has  taken  a 
lease  of  some  one  of  the  many  which  are  owned  by  the 
convents,  and  which  are  abandoned  for  want  of  cultiva- 
tion. Any  one  of  these  circumstances  furnishes  him  a  suffi- 
cient excuse  for  keeping  a  house  in  the  city,  and  for  making 
it  his  home,  whenever  he  has  occasion  to  go  there,  rather 
than  to  live  in  the  convent.  Those,  likewise,  who  hold 
masterships,  and  who  have  been  promoted  to  the  highest 
honors  in  the  gift  of  their  order,  although  usually 
residing  in  the  convent,  by  virtue  of  their  institute, 
are  allowed  to  keep  their  private  houses  in  the  city, 
where  their  women  and  children  usually  live,  and  where 
they  pass  the  most  of  their  time.  They  do  this  with  so 
much  freedom  and  sense  of  security  that  the  moment 
they  are  threatened  with  serious  illness  they  take  up 
their  abode  there,  as  they  would  in  an  infirmary,  aban- 
doning the  convent  altogether  ;  and,  even  when  they  have 
no  such  pretext,  the}'  usually  absent  themselves,  and 
visit  the  monastery  merel}'  to  sa}'  mass,  and  to  pass  their 
time  there  when  it  suits  their  caprice  or  convenience. 

In  addition  to  the  above-mentioned  facts,  these  individ- 
uals use  so  little  care  to  disguise  their  conduct,  that  they 
appear  to  make  incontinence  a  matter  of  boasting  ;  they 
would  impl}'  as  much  as  this,  when  they  go  on  a  journey, 
by  taking  with  them  their  concubines,  children,  and 
servants,  as  if  to  publish  to  the  world  their  abandoned 
mode  of  living.  We  have  met  them  very  frequently  on 
the  highway  in  this  stj'le,  but  have  noticed  them  more 
particularly  on  the  assembling  of  the  chapters  ;  for  all 
who  are  present  on  these  occasions  enter  the  citj"  pub- 
hcl}',  with  their  whole  family,  having  either  a  vote  to 
cast,  or  a  living  to  solicit ;  and  when  the  election  is 
over  the}'  go  out  in  the  same  manner,  some  to  take  a 
higher  rank  in  other  convents,  and  others  to  be  installed 


133 


over  a  vacant  cnrac}'.  "We  happened  to  be  residing  in 
Quito  when  the  time  arrived  for  assembling  the  chapters 
in  the  order  of  St.  Francis,  and  having  taken  lodgings 
in  that  neighborhood,  we  had  an  opportunit}'  of  seeing 
distinctly-  all  that  was  taking  place.  For  the  space  of 
fifteen  days  prior  to  the  meeting  of  the  chapters,  it  was 
a  source  of  amusement  to  idle  persons  to  look  at  the 
monks  as  the}'  entered  the  city  with  their  concubines  ; 
and,  for  more  than  a  month  after  the  chapters  were 
closed,  it  was  equally'  amusing  to  see  those  who  were  on 
their  return  to  their  new  destination.  It  happened  at 
this  time  that,  while  a  monk  was  living  with  all  his  family 
opijosite  to  the  house  where  we  were  residing,  one  of  his 
sons  suddenly  fell  ill  and  died.  The  same  da}',  at  two 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  whole  bod}^  of  friars  went  to 
sing  a  response  over  him,  and,  at  the  close  of  it,  each 
individual  came  forward  to  express  his  sympath}-  for  the 
mourner.  This  could  be  seen  distinctly  by  us,  the 
balconies  of  one  house  being  opposite  to  those  of  the 
other,  exposing  the  whole  to  view,  although  the  cere- 
monies were  performed  without  an}'  design  of  conceal- 
ment. 

Strange  as  this  may  seem,  it  is  nothing  in  comparison 
with  what  sometimes  occurs.  It  is  naturally  to  be  sup- 
posed that  there  is  scarcely  one  who  escapes  the  conta- 
gion of  vice,  whether  he  reside  in  the  city,  on  an  estate, 
or  in  his  own  curacy  ;  for,  whether  it  be  in  one  place  or 
another,  they  all  live  in  the  same  loose  and  profligate 
manner.  But  the  most  notorious  circumstance  of  all  is, 
that  these  convents  have  been  converted  into  public 
l)rothels,  particularly  in  the  smaller  settlements ;  and, 
that,  in  the  large  towns,  they  have  become  the  scene  of 
such  imheard-of  abominations  and  execrable  vices,  that 
the  mind  wavers  in  uncertainty  as  to  what  opinion  the 
inmates  have  formed  of  religion,  or  whether  they  live  in 
the  knowledge  and  fear  of  the  Catholic. 

In  the  smaller  towns,  under  the  pretext  that  the  monks 
are  few  in  numlter,  the  doors  of  the  monasteries  are  kept 
open,  and  women  go  in  and  out  at  all  times  for  the  pur- 
pose of  cooking,  washing,  and  waiting  on  the  friars,  and 


134 


performing  all  the  services  which  usuall^y  devolve  upon 
the  lay  brothers.  Likewise  the  concubines  have  free 
access,  at  all  hours,  not  only  without  impediment,  but 
without  so  much  as  attracting  notice,*  of  which  we  shall 
give  two  examples,  which  will  place  the  truth  of  it  be- 
yond a  doubt. 

It  was  on  the  eve  of  our  depai'ture  from  Quito,  on  our 
tour  to  Cuenca,  that  we  visited  one  of  the  convents  to 
take  leave  of  some  of  the  inmates,  whose  acquaintance 
we  had  made  during  our  stay  in  that  city.  We  entered 
one  of  the  cells,  or  apartments,  in  which  we  found  a 
monk,  accompanied  by  three  females  of  respectable  ap- 
pearance, who  were  seated  by  the  bedside  of  the  friar,  to 
whom  our  visit  was  made,  but  who  was  so  ill  that  he  did 
not  recognize  us.  The  females  were  busy  in  applying 
remedies  suited  to  effect  his  recovery.  •  On  inquiring  of 
the  first  monk  the  occasion  of  his  sudden  illness,  he  told 
us,  in  a  few  words,  that  the  young  woman  who  seemed 
most  officious  in  her  attentions,  and  betraj'ed  evident 
indications  of  deep  sympathy,  was  his  concubine,  with 
w^hom  he  had  had  a  quarrel  the  day  previous,  and,  exas- 
perated as  he  still  was  with  her,  she  ver}^  imprudently 
seated  herself  at  the  door  of  a  church,  attached  to  a 
nunner3%  where  he  happened  to  be  preaching  at  that 
hour.  Her  presence  threw  him  at  once  into  a  transport 
of  rage,  and  the  attack  which  occasioned  his  illness 
seized  him  so  nnexpectedl}"  that  he  could  neither  proceed 
with  his  discourse  nor  recover  the  use  of  his  reason. 
The  said  monk  took  occasion,  from  this  circumstance,  to 
speak  at  large  of  the  miseries  of  this  life,  and,  when  he 
had  concluded,  he  informed  us  that,  of  the  other  two 
young  women,  one  belonged  to  him  and  the  other  to  the 
superior  of  the  convent. 

On  another  occasion,  a  French  gentleman,  who  was 
associated  with  us  in  our  expedition,  being  present  at 
one  of  the  numerous  fandangoes,  or  balls,  which  are  so 
common  there,  entered  into  conversation  with  a  lady  who 

*  The  women  of  the  monks  no  longer  live  in  the  monasteries, 
but  in  the  streets  in  the  vicinity. — Tr. 


135 


had  been  inWtccl,  and,  as  midnight  was  then  approaching, 
sho  expressed  a  desire  to  return  home.  The  gentleman 
ottered  to  accompany  her.  Nhe  accepted  the  otter  ;  and, 
without  making  an}'  apologj",  proceeded  directly  to  one  of 
the  convents  of  friars,  ascended  the  steps,  and  knocked. 
The  French  gentleman  knew  not  what  to  think  of  it,  but 
waited,  somewhat  confused,  to  see  where  it  would  end, 
which  he  soon  discovered,  to  his  astonishment ;  for,  when 
the  porter  opened  the  door,  the  lad}'  bade  him  good- 
night, and,  ihanking  him  for  his  politeness,  went  in. 
We  may  imagine  the  surprise  of  this  gentleman,  who, 
until  then,  had  not  been  accustomed  to  such  open  prof- 
ligacy of  manners  ;  but,  as  such  occurrences  were  fre- 
quently repeated  afterwards,  under  our  own  eye,  neither 
he  nor  ourselves  regarded  them  any  longer  with  sur- 
prise. 

Were  we  to  enumerate  all  the  similar  occurrences 
which  took  place  during  our  stay  in  those  countries,  they 
would  fill  a  large  volume  ;  but  we  have  said  enough  to 
explain  what  that  is  of  which  we  speak,  without  tres- 
passing too  far  jn  recording  facts  of  such  a  revolting 
natui'e.  But,  at  the  same  time,  we  shall  not  neglect  the 
opportunity  of  communicating  whatever  the  subject  be- 
fore us  seems  to  demand. 

The  greater  part  or  all  of  the  enormities  committed  in 
those  wanton  fandangoes,  which  are  so  common  in  those 
countries,  appear  to  be  inventions  suggested  by  the  in- 
fernal spirit  himself,  to  keep  those  people  in  greater 
bondage  ;  but  it  is  exceedingly  strange,  and  even  in- 
credible, that  the  choicfe  of  instruments  to  begin  and 
carry  on  such  dissolute  practices  should  be  such  as  it  is, 
and  so  fitted  to  excite  horror  and  aversion.  These  fan- 
dangoes, or  balls,  are  usually  devised  by  the  members  of 
the  religious  orders,  or  more  properl}'  by  those  who  call 
themselves  religious,  although,  in  fact,  they  are  far  from 
being  so ;  for  it  is  they  who  pay  the  expense,  who 
attend,  in  company  with  their  concubines,  and  who  get  up 
the  fray  in  their  own  houses.  Simultaneously  with  the 
dance,  the  immoderate  use  of  ardent  spirits  begins,  and 
the  entertainment  is  gradually  converted  into  acts  of  im- 


136 


propriety,  so  unseeml}^  and  lewd,  that  it  would  be  pre- 
sumption even  to  speak  of  them,  and  a  want  of  delicacy 
to  stain  the  narrative  with  such  a  record  of  obscenities  ; 
and,  letting  them  lie  hid  in  the  region  of  silence,  we 
shall  onl}^  remark,  that  whatever  the  spirit  of  malice 
could  invent,  in  respect  to  this  subject,  great  as  it  might 
be,  it  could  never  fathom  that  abyss  into  which  those 
corrupt  minds  are  plunged,  nor  give  any  adequate  idea 
of  the  degree  of  excess  to  which  debauchery  and  crime 
are  carried.  The  peculiar  position  of  those  who  take 
the  lead  in  those  scenes  of  riot  excites  surprise,  not 
merely  that  the  members  of  a  religious  order  should  in- 
considerately abet  the  scandals  of  the  lait}',  but  that  they 
should,  in  this  manner,  originate  them,  and  serve  as 
pioneers  to  those  who  are  entering  upon  the  paths  of 
vice.  We  have  nothing  to  corroborate  the  truth  of  this, 
but  experience  itself,  together  with  actual  occurrences 
and  the  public}^  of  facts,  which  are  of  such  a  nature  that 
children  inherit  the  titles  of  rank  held  b}'  their  parents  ; 
and  we  see,  not  without  surprise,  in  a  city  like  Quito, 
scores  of  lad}'  provincials,  prioresses,  lady  guardians, 
lady  readers,  &c.,  as  well  as  of  every  titled  office  in  the 
order  ;  so  that  children  are  known  in  public  by  no  other 
name  than  that  of  the  title  of  the  post  of  honor  to  which 
their  fathers  had  been  elevated.  So  far  are  they  from 
accounting  such  titles  as  derogator}-,  that  they  are  es- 
teemed as  a  badge  of  honor,  and  the  more  so  as  the  rank 
of  the  individual  is  greater.  In  the  same  way  as  the 
rank  of  an  individual  is  designated  by  his  title,  the  merit 
of  the  children  is  graduated  b}^  that  of  their  parents  ;  and 
the  former,  regardless  of  illegitimacy  or  sacrilege,  esteem 
themselves  happ}^  in  making  a  boast  of  their  elevated 
station  in  society,  nor  does  it  occasion  them  an^'  sense 
of  shame  to  be  known  b}^  the  honorary  titles  which  had 
been  conferred  on  their  parents  in  the  monastery. 

The  preceding  gives  proof  enough  of  entire  disregard 
to  appearances  in  the  monks  ;  for,  if  we  except  the  bap- 
tismal records,  we  have  no  means  of  distinguishing  thtir 
offspring  from  those  of  the  lait}-.  They  lead  a  married 
life  with  the  woman  they  take,  and  no  one  dares  to  cen- 


137 


sure  them ;  and  ha\ing  become  lost  to  all  sense  of 
decency,  the}-  trample  on  the  sanctit}-  of  the  prohibition. 
It  appears  as  if  this  inseusibilit}'  wrought  iu  tlii-m  more 
powerfiill}-  than  in  others  ;  for  the}-  live  without  the  least 
restraint,  and  go  far  beyond  the  most  infamous  of  the 
lait}-  in  tlie  practice  of  licentiousness.  Under  pretext  of 
celebrating  these  orgies  in  the  house  of  one  of  the  monks, 
it  is  reason  enough  wh}-  no  justice  of  the  peace  should 
violate  the  sanctity  of  their  domicile  ;  and  however  dis- 
guised the  managers  of  the  ball  may  be,  b}'  assuming  the 
dress  of  the  lait}-,  common  report  is  enough  to  identify 
them  with  certainty. 

It  may  be  thought  strange  that  the  superiors  of  the 
orders  should  use  concealment,  and  not  apply  a  remedy 
in  this  matter ;  for,  if  they  were  actuated  by  no  otlier 
motive  than  the  rei^utation  of  the  Order,  they  would  do  it 
for  this  sole  object ;  but  the  repl}'  to  this  is  by  no  means 
difficult.  They  do,  indeed,  assign  several  reasons  which 
they  suppose  to  be  weighty,  such  as,  that  the  custom  has 
become  inveterate,  and  that  it  has  ceased  to  give  offence, 
because  it  is  so  G;enerallv  admitted  in  all  those  countries. 
But  the  truth  is,  they  want  authority  to  restrain  these 
excesses,  because  they  are  as  much  implicated  in  tliem 
as  are  the  inferior  clergy  ;  and,  as  the  fatal  example 
originates  with  them,  there  is  no  room,  under  such  cir- 
cumstances, for  salutary  admonition,  nor  is  it  possible  for 
the  guilty  person  to  be  brouglit  to  tlie  knowledge  of  his 
error,  and  to  be  made  to  reform  his  life.  Of  the  truth  of 
this,  the  following  anecdote  will  furnish  sufficient  evi- 
dence. In  one  of  the  towns  situated  within  the  Province 
of  (^uito,  the  living  was  held  by  a  monk  who  had  at  a 
former  period  been  elected  provincial  of  his  Order ;  but 
he  was  so  loose  in  his  morals,  and  so  perverse  in  his 
whole  conduct,  that  he  kept  the  village  in  a  state  of  tur- 
moil by  his  unbridled  licentiousness,  until  at  length  the 
complaints  of  the  inhal)itants  came  to  the  ears  of  the 
president  and  bishop  of  (^uito.  The  latter,  no  longer 
able  to  disregard  such  repeated  solicitations,  earnestly 
entreated  the  acting  provincial  to  restrain  the  excesses  of 
the  monk,  who  was  accordingly  sunnnoncd  to  answer  to 


138 


the  charges  alleged  against  him.  At  first,  however,  the 
provincial  gave  him  a  friendly  admonition,  and  conn- 
selled  him  not  to  be  unmindful  of  his  advanced  age,  and 
of  the  elevated  station  which  he  had  once  held  in  the  con- 
vent. He  then  urged  upon  his  attention  every  motive 
that  could  possibly  influence  him  to  abandon  his  reckless 
life,  and  thereby  cut  off  any  further  occasion  of  complaint 
from  the  president  and  bishop.  The  monk  received  the 
admonition  with  great  calmness,  and  as  soon  as  the 
provincial  had  concluded,  he  commenced  speaking,  and, 
availing  himself  of  the  freedom  of  mutual  friendship  and 
confidence,  not  to  mention  other  circumstances,  which 
set  aside  even  the  forms  of  respect  and  subordination, 
he  said  to  him,  with  an  air  of  indiiference,  that  if  he 
needed  the  living  for  any  thing,  it  was  only  to  maintain 
his  concubines,  and  to  carry  on  his  amours  ;  foi',  as  it 
respected  himself,  so  long  as  he  had  a  frock  and  hood, 
and  his  daily  allowance  of  bread,  it  was  quite  sufficient 
for  his  maintenance  ;  that  if  he  (the  provincial)  intended 
to  infringe  his  liberty  in  any  respect,  he  might  take  the 
living  for  himself,  for  he  had  no  need  of  it  whatever. 
The  result  was,  that  the  monk  returned  to  the  village, 
and  continued  to  live,  as  before,  in  the  same  vicious 
practices. 

But  what  admonition  shall  a  superior  give  to  an  in- 
ferior concerning  a  crime  in  wliich  both  are  equally 
implicated,  and  who,  when  occasion  offers,  go  in  com- 
pany to  the  dwellings  of  their  concubines  without  the 
least  reserve  ?  for  they  meet  in  the  house  of  the  provin- 
cial, just  as  they  do  in  that  of  a  private  monk,  to  cele- 
brate their  nightly  orgies.  Hence  it  is  that  such  a  mode 
of  life  as  the  priesthood  lead  does  not  strike  the  laity 
with  surprise  ;  but  what  does  give  occasion  for  reproach 
is  the  wrangling  that  takes  place  between  them  and 
their  concubines,  between  the  children  belonging  to 
one  and  those  which  belong  to  another,  and  among 
the  women  themselves,  who  lead  this  abandoned  Ufe, 
especially  when  it  happens  that  a  priest  is  dissatisfied 
with  one,  and  gives  occasion  of  jealousy  to  another. 
On   this    account,    there   exist    unceasing    brawls    and 


139 


riots,  -which  are  more  violent  in  small  towns,  especially 
if  the  inhabitants  come  to  talve  part  in  them.  They 
are  also  wont  to  spring  from  the  supremac}'  whicli  the 
concubines  and  children  of  priests  wish  to  maintain  over 
those  of  the  lait}',  trampling  upon  them  and  degrading 
them  to  servile  occupations,  as  if  they  were  fit  only  for 
menial  offices.  Here,  then,  we  have  the  real  occasion  of 
offence,  which  is  not  in  the  fact  that  a  priest  is  burdened 
with  a  numorous  offspring,  nor  that  he  lives  openlj*  with 
a  woman  in  a  state  of  matrimony,  but  in  the  incessant 
quarrels  and  tumults  which  have  their  origin  in  a  course 
of  conduct  in  ever}"  view  unseeml}^  and  reproachful. 

It  is  a  circumstance  ver}-  worthy  of  remark  in  the  fan- 
dangoes to  which  we  have  before  alluded,  that  it  is  by 
such  deeds  of  revehy  that  the  assuming  of  monastic  vows 
is  commemorated  ;  it  is  in  such  orgies,  in  which  there  is 
no  abominable  crime  whicji  is  not  committed,  and  no  in- 
decency which  is  not  practised,  that  the  solemn  occasion 
of  chanting  the  first  mass  is  celebrated,  which  seems  like 
pi'esenting  to  the  young  friars  a  model  on  which  to  form 
their  subsequent  conduct ;  and  the}'  appear  to  make  use 
of  the  lessons  of  depravity  with  so  much  fidelit}',  that 
they  never  deviate  in  the  slightest  degree  from  their 
observance. 

Although  this  licentious  life  comprises  both  priests  and 
friars,  the  former  are  more  continent  and  less  scandalous 
before  the  public,  and  in  both  orders  there  are  wont  to  be 
individuals  who  live  in  a  more  exemplary  manner.  But 
we  find,  on  farther  iuquirj^,  that  these  are  aged  priests, 
who  have  been  induced  by  advancing  years  to  change 
their  habits,  and  to  lead  a  more  virtuous  life  ;  and  it 
usually  happens  in  regard  to  both,  that,  if  any  one  retires 
from  the  world  to  live  virtuously,  it  is  not  until  he  is 
burdened  with  children  and  old  age,  and  is  naturally  on 
the  borders  of  the  grave. 

All  the  seclusion  of  these  priests,  who  are  accounted 
models  of  virtue,  as  well  as  all  their  penances  of  morti- 
fication and  fasting,  consist  in  leading  a  life  of  contin- 
ence, by  withdrawing  from  the  society  of  their  concubines. 
This  might  appear  at  first  view  an  inconsiderable  triumph  ; 


140 


but  it  comes  to  be  veiy  important  wben  we  reflect  that 
there  are  many  individuals  iu  whom  these  circumstances 
concur,  and  who  continue  to  live  in  a  state  of  concubin- 
age until  the  very  moment  of  their  death.  Numerous 
examples  of  this  kind  might  be  quoted  ;  but  we  shall  con- 
fine ourselves  to  one  only,  which  will  be  sufficient  to  cor- 
roborate what  we  have  stated. 

On  the  pampa  where  our  first  observations  were  taken 
relative  to  the  measurement  of  the  earth,  there  were 
various  plantations  belonging  to  friars,  and  one  of  them 
was  superintended  by  a  monk  of  such  distinguished 
talents  that  he  had  been  repeatedly  promoted  to  the  dig- 
nity of  provincial.  This  estate  was  so  near  to  that  on 
which  we  were  residing,  that  we  frequently  preferred 
going  there  to  hear  mass  on  Sundays  and  holiday's.  By 
this  facility  of  communication,  we  had  sufficient  oppor- 
tunity of  knowing  what  was  occurring  on  that  estate,  as 
well  as  on  the  neighboring  ones  ;  but  even  without  this 
circumstance  we  could  not  be  ignorant  of  it ;  for  the 
occnrrcnces  were  so  public,  that,  at  the  very  time  the 
tenants  made  known  to  us  the  names  and  divisions  of 
the  estate,  they  made  us  acquainted  with  ever}'  thing 
relative  to  the  owner  of  it,  without  omitting  the  circum- 
stances of  his  profession  and  mode  of  life.  This  monk 
was  already  more  than  eighty  years  old,  but  was  still 
living,  as  a  married  person,  with  a  3'oung  and  good-look- 
ing concubine,  who  was  frequently  mistaken  for  some 
one  of  the  daughters  of  his  own  famih',  for  this  was  the 
fourth  woman  with  whom  he  had  contracted  alliance  ;  and 
as  children  had  descended  of  all  these,  there  was  literally 
a  swarm  of  them,  between  great  and  small.  This  whole 
famil}'  kneeled  together  in  the  chapel  to  hear  mass,  the 
concubine  herself  presiding,  and  occupying  for  this  pur- 
pose a  conspicuous  place.  The  father  said  mass,  and  one 
of  his  sons  did  the  office  of  assistant.  But  the  most  re- 
markable circumstance  was,  that,  although  this  priest 
had  received  the  extreme  unction  three  times,  being  at 
death's  door,  he  could  not  be  persuaded  to  make  this 
3'oung  woman  withdraw  from  his  bedside  ;  and  at  length, 
after  having  had  the  rite  administered  for  the  fourth  time, 


Ill 


he  died,  as  the  phrase  is,  in  her  arms.  It  will  not,  there- 
fore, be  thought  strange,  if  attention  has  been  given  to 
what  we  remarked  above,  that  tliose  who  become  ill  in 
the  convents  shonld  retire  to  a  private  house,  and  con- 
tinue there,  attended  by  their  concubines,  until  they 
recover  or  die. 

The  regular  clergy,  as  well  as  all  those  who  are  for- 
bidden b}'  their  vows  to  marr}',  not  only  live  in  the  mar- 
ried state,  but  secure  to  themselves  advantages  over  those 
who  are  lawfully  married  ;  for  they  are  at  liberty  to  change 
their  women,  either  when  they  cease  to  be  congenial  to 
them,  or  when  age  has  rendered  them  less  attractive  ;  and 
it  is  their  practice  so  to  do  whenever  it  suits  their  caprice, 
or  whenever  the}^  have  an  opportunity  to  mend  their  for- 
tune. To  those  whom  they  abandon,  a  weekly  allowance 
is  granted  for  their  support,  and  this  is  continued  for  life, 
if  the  individual  concerned  is  one  who  possesses  prop- 
erty, or  holds  a  high  rank  in  the  church  or  in  the  Order 
to  which  he  belongs.  From  examples  like  these,  some 
conclusion  may  be  formed  of  the  state  of  religion  in  that 
countr}' — the  sacrilege  committed  in  the  face  of  da}^  the 
irreverence  attending  the  celebration  of  religious  rites, 
and  the  want  of  security  for  the  propagation,  or  even  the 
existence,  of  the  true  faith.  Let  this  question  be  left  to 
the  judgment  of  each  individual,  as  it  would  be  inex- 
pedient to  make  it  a  subject  of  discussion,  and  augment 
the  sense  of  grief  and  disappointment  which  naturally 
originates  from  it. 

So  far,  however,  is  this  mode  of  life  from  being  disrep- 
utable, or  prejudicial  to  the  good  name  and  decorum 
either  of  man  or  woman,  that  the  promotion  of  a  married 
priest  is  an  occasion  of  mirth  and  festivit}'  to  the  woman 
with  whom  he  has  contracted  alliance  ;  so  that  when  a 
monk  has  been  promoted  to  an  honorable  station  in  his 
Order,  his  concubine  receives  the  customary  congratula- 
tions, as  one  who  shares  in  the  honor  of  the  new  appoint- 
ment. What  takes  place  in  regard  to  one  is  a})plicable 
also  to  the  other,  for  I)}'  it  the}'  secure  a  greater  revenue, 
which  is  the  object  desired. 

The  monks  possess  advantages  over  all  others  in  re- 


142 

gard  to  the  rank  of  the  women  who  belong  to  them, 
which  arises  from  the  fact  that,  while  they  are  in  a  situa- 
tion more  favorable  to  the  acquisition  of  wealth,  they 
have  less  to  spend  for  their  personal  maintenance  ;  hence 
it  is  all  applied  to  the  benefit  of  their  women,  wliich  is 
not  the  case  cither  with  the  laity  or  with  other  ecclesias- 
tics ;  for,  although  both  the  former  and  the  latter  main- 
tain them,  they  do  not  lavish  upon  them  their  whole 
estate,  as  is  the  case  with  the  monks  ;    for  these,  as  they 
say  themselves,  carry   their   whole   wardrobe   on   their 
backs,  and  their  only  pecuniary  obligations  are  such  as 
they  impose  upon  themselves  ;  so  that  whatever  they  earn, 
either'within  or  without  the  convent,  reverts  to  these  wo- 
men, and  is  applied  to  the  maintenance  of  their  families. 
Hence  it  is  that  the  men,  not  having  scruples  of  con- 
science, inclining  them  to  forsake  such  a  course,  nor  the 
women  sufficient  modesty  or  love  of  virtue  to  do  the 
same,  it  will  not  seem  repugnant  to  reason  that  the  prac- 
tice should  have  become  so  general  as  to  comprehend  all 
classes,  without  exception  ;  yet  we  shall  not  venture  to 
affirm  so  much  as  this,  lest  we  should  brand  with  such  a 
foul  reproach  those  who  may  never  have  incurred  it ;  but 
we  must  declare,  that,  in  regard  to  several  individuals, 
whom  we  knew  and  esteemed  as  possessing  moral  worth, 
and  who,  to  appearance,  had  always  lived  circumspectly, 
time  disclosed  to  us  quite  the  contrary,  and  under  cir- 
cumstances that  give  us  occasion  to  doubt  even  of  those 
who  had  exhibited   externally  satisfactory  evidence  of 
virtuous  conduct. 

This  licentiousness,  both  of  the  laity  and  priesthood,  is 
universal  in  Peru,  so  that  what  is  said  of  Quito  and  Lima 
may  be  affirmed  of  all  other  cities  and  towns.  The  root  of 
the  evil  is,  that,  those  countries  having  been  conquered 
and  settled  by  persons  of  a  low  rank  in  society,  the  abuses 
which  they  introduced  at  the  commencement  continued  to 
prevail  and  multiply,  until  they  had  become  universal.* 

*  There  are  not  wanting  in  Quito  bright  examples  of  virtue 
among  the  laity,  which  shine  with  more  lustre  in  contrast  with 
the  siUTomidiug  darkness  of  infidelity  and  superstition.  An 
aged  friend  of  mine  in  that  city  once  informed  me  that,  having 


143 


We  shall  conclude  this  chapter  by  alluding  again  to  the 
tumults  occasioned  b}-  the  capitulaiy  elections,  in  ordej 
to  show  how  little  the  monasteries  contribute  to  the 
object  for  which  they  were  esta])lished. 

The  revenue  attached  to  preferments  in  the  religious 
Orders  is  the  source  of  all  the  unreasonable  and  extrav- 
agant behavior  of  the  members  :  hence  it  is  that  the}-  pay 
little  or  no  attention  to  the  continuance  and  increase  oi 
the  missions,  and  neglect  their  appropriate  duty  ol 
preaching  for  the  conversion  of  infidels.  They  appeal 
in  pubhc  to  promote  the  interests  of  their  own  part}', 
and  to  kindle  more  and  more  the  flames  of  discord  among 
individuals,  when  duty  calls  them  to  interpose  thcii 
friendl}'  oflices  to  allay  the  spirit  of  part}' ;  hence  the 
perverse,  disorderly,  and  scandalous  life  which  the}'  all 
lead,  from  first  to  last,  making  it  evident  that  those  who 
constitute  the  religious  Orders  have  no  claim  to  the  char- 
acter of  religious  persons. 

The  chapters  assemble  at  certain  intervals,  to  make 
choice  of  a  pro\incial,  or  superior  of  a  convent,  who  has 
nnder  his  control  all  the  minor  convents  of  his  Order 
which  are  comprised  within  the  limits  of  a  province. 
This  dignitary  fills  up  all  vacancies  that  occur  in  oflfice, 
or  for  once  grants  this  prerogative  to  his  predecessor,  in 
case  the  latter  has  espoused  his  cause  ;  so  that  the  indi- 
vidual chosen  makes  this  concession  to  the  one  who 
chooses  him,  and  cither  one  or  the  other  nominates  priors 
or  guardians  for  all  the  convents  of  the  province,  remodels 
all  the  benefices,  promotes  the  curates,  or  nominates 
others  in  their  place  —  all  which  yields  him  an  immense 
revenue  ;  for  what  has  been  said  of  the  system  of  bribery 
practised  in  the  election  of  a  corregidor  applies  to  all  the 
honors  and  prerogatives  conferred  by  the  i)roviucinl,  the 
amount  which  each  individual  has  to  contribute  being 
regulated  by  a  fixed  tariff  or  scale  of  prices  ;  whetlier  it 
be  under  the  denomination  of  a  pension,  or  almsgiving, 

applied  to  a  canon  of  the  church  for  counsel  in  resiird  to  the 
way  to  1)0  saved,  that  (lisnitary  hiliorcd  to  (piief  his  apprehen- 
sions hy  assniin^  him  tliat  we  had  not  evidence  cnoii^li  of  u 
future  state  to  give  ourselves  any  concern  about  it.  —  Tr. 


144 


or  benevolence,  or  anj-  other  terra  that  mnj^be  applied  to 
it ;  for,  whatever  be  the  pretext,  it  is  well  known  that 
the  vacancy  is  not  filled  unless  the  stipulated  sum  should 
be  paid  previousl3',  or  an  obligation  given  to  pay  it  in  full 
as  soon  as  the  office  begins  to  yield  an  income.  Although 
the  new  provincial  should  cede  to  his  predecessor  the 
prerogative  of  filling  up  these  vacancies,  the  vacancies 
thus  filled  do  not  fail  to  yield  him  an  immense  revenue  ; 
for,  besides  what  the  interested  parties  give  to  him  who 
directly  bestows  the  emolument,  they  also  remunerate  the 
provincial  who  concedes  the  right  to  bestow  it,  which 
leaves  them  both  with  an  enormous  income  ;  but  even 
this  is  not  to  be  named  in  comparison  with  what  thej^ 
afterwards  collect,  during  their  parochial  visits,  and  in 
the  interim  of  the  meeting  of  the  chapters,  which  is  the 
source  whence  they  derive  their  chief  emolument 

The  only  recompense  bestowed  by  the  provincials  on 
those  who  have  espoused  their  party  consists  in  promoting 
them  to  oflfice,  on  paj'ment  of  the  stipulated  alms,  which 
does  not  diminish  aught  from  the  merit  of  the  living  con- 
ferred, for  it  always  enables  an  individual  to  get  a  clear 
income  of  twelve  thousand  dollars  or  more,  during  his 
term  of  office,  even  if  he  have  advanced  a  gratuity  of  three 
or  four  thousand  dollars,  or  have  discharged  his  debt  to 
the  provincial  from  the  very  proceeds  of  the  benefice 
bestowed. 

But  what  in  this  respect  forces  itself  upon  the  attention 
is,  tliat  a  religious  Order,  like  that  of  St.  Francis,  should 
handle  money-bags  of  a  thousand  dollars  each  as  they 
were  maravedies  or  beads  of  the  rosary ;  that  it  should 
set  up  and  m.anage  its  fair  of  guardianships  and  livings, 
as  other  convents  do  ;  that  the  provincials  in  a  three 
years'  term,  should  accumulate  a  greater  sum  than  is 
accumulated  b}'  an}^  one  presiding  over  other  orders,  the 
number  of  livings  in  their  gift  exceeding  that  of  the  rest ; 
that,  in  the  same  proportion,  guardians  and  curates 
increase  in  riches,  purchase  estates,  and  keep  up  pri- 
vate establishments  ;  and,  in  a  word,  that  there  should 
be  provincials,  and  even  friars,  of  elevated  rank,  rich 
and   ostentatious,   and  the   fame   of  whose   pomp   and 


145 


pride  echoes  throngh  the  towns  and  cities  where  they 
reside. 

In  addition  to  the  wealth  accumulated  by  the  provin- 
cials during  their  term  of  office,  as  soon  as  this  term 
exi)ires  they  are  entitled  to  one  of  the  best  (that  is,  of 
the  richest)  livings  or  guardianships  in  the  gift  of  the 
Order,  and  they  are  at  lil3erty  to  select  for  their  own  use 
the  most  valual)le  estate  within  the  province,  and,  by  pay- 
ing the  rent  prescribed  by  ancient  usage,  to  hold  it  as 
their  own  during  their  lifetime.  To  these  emoluments 
others  are  added,  which  yield  such  a  revenue  as  to  pro- 
vide them  with  everything  that  could  be  desired. 

As  it  is  luideuiable  that  all  the  orders  in  the  Indies 
possess  immense  wealth,  and  that  the}'  have  no  occasion 
to  employ  it  to  advantage,  it  is  evident  that  they  make 
an  improper  use  of  it,  by  rendering  it  subservient  to  their 
corrupt  propensities.  Hence  it  is  that  the  members  of 
the  religious  orders  take  the  lead  of  every  other  class  of 
men  in  the  practice  of  vice  ;  for,  if  reference  be  had  to 
concubinage,  none  are  guilty  of  it  to  such  a  degree  as 
the}'  are,  for  there  are  none  who  maintain  a  greater  num- 
ber of  women  ;  if  to  the  use  of  obscene  language,  it  makes 
one  shudder  to  listen  to  them,  when  they  let  loose  their 
tongues,  and  make  them  the  instruments  of  the  most 
filthy  and  opprobrious  language  that  can  be  imagined. 
Besides  this,  the}-  play  at  games  of  hazard  more  than  any 
class  of  persons  ;  they  drink  to  greater  excess  than  the 
laity,  and  there  is  no  vice  with  which  the}' have  not  made 
themselves  familiar  ;  all  which  has  its  source  in  sui)er- 
fluous  wealth  ;  for,  having  no  objects  on  which  to  lavish 
it,  and  no  occupation  to  fill  up  their  intervals  of  leisure, 
they  make  them  both  subservient  to  their  detestable 
vices,  and  continue  to  live  in  them  even  to  their  last 
hour. 

It  being  so  manifest  that  the  profligacy  of  the  monks 
in  Peru  is  owing  to  the  riches  they  hoard  up,  and  that 
these  are  derived  from  tlie  livings,  the  evil  might  be 
remedied  liy  nominating  the  secular  clergy  to  the  bene- 
fices ;  for  the  priests,  cruel  as  they  arc  to  the  Indians, 
are  not  so  tyrannical  as  the  monks  :  the  reason  is,  that 


14(5 


the  former  receive  their  appointments  for  life,  and  are  not 
compelled,  like  the  latter,  to  contribute  the  customary 
fee  or  bribe  at  the  meeting  of  every  chapter,  nor  have 
they  the  same  occasion  to  straiten  to  the  utmost  their 
parishioners,  in  order  to  render  the  cui'ac}'  as  lucrative  as 
possible. 

On  the  other  hand,  if  such  a  measure  were  adopted, 
and  friars  should  be  excluded  from  the  benefices,  the 
scandal  of  profligac}'  would  not  be  avoided  ;  for  the  sec- 
ular and  regular  clergy  are  equally  depraved  in  their 
morals.  But,  externall}^  the  difference  is  in  favor  of 
the  priests,  for  these  are  more  wary,  as  we  have  alread}' 
observed,  and  endeavor  to  hide  their  weaknesses  ;  there 
is  more  of  decorum  in  their  manners ;  their  language  is 
not  so  revolting,  nor  their  lives  so  scandalous  ;  so  that  if 
we  would  descrilie  the  difference  between  the  profligac}' 
of  the  monks  and  the  frailty  of  the  i)riests,  we  should  say 
that  the  latter  are  not  more  abandoned  and  loose  than  are 
the  laity  in  general ;  and  if  there  is  au}^  difference  between 
the  two  classes,  a  greater  regard  to  appearances  may  be 
predicated  of  the  priests  ;  but  the  monks,  under  all  cir- 
cumstances, are  more  profligate  than  the  laity.  Thus, 
although  the  reform  of  such  mischievous  abuses  could  not 
be  wholly  effected,  it  might  be  secured  in  part,  and  the 
hope  entertained  that  through  the  influence  of  worth)' 
ecclesiastics,  who  should  be  sent  from  Spain,  the  vices 
which  now  prevail  might  be  rooted  out,  or  held  in  some 
degree  of  restraint,  and  a  new  order  of  administration  be 
set  on  foot.  •  Although  this  object  should  not  be  secured, 
neither  as  a  whole  nor  in  part,  other  advantages  would 
result  from  it,  which  would  be  of  great  importance  to"  the 
king  and  his  subjects,  and  which  are  so  indispensable  at 
the  present  moment,  that,  otherwise,  we  cannot  rely  on 
the  permanent  possession  of  those  kingdoms  ;  at  least,  no 
reasonable  hope  can  be  entertained  that  the  settlements 
will  ever  be  extended  over  that  vast  territory,  which 
hitherto  has  recognized  no  sovereign  but  the  barbarous 
Indian,  and  no  proprietor  but  the  beast  of  the  forests. 


A    001 


"^0^     0 


